YMCA Youth Programs
4 resources and community offerings just for youth
22 May 2020 - by Nicole Meredith
We all know staying home saves lives, and we all want to do our part. But it still hurts when the pandemic blows a hole through your carefully-laid plans for the future. Cancelling the graduation ceremony you worked so hard towards, missing out on overnight summer camp, losing the summer job you were relying on to pay your tuition, trying to navigate online learning — these disappointments are really tough to swallow, and some of the challenges make the future feel like one big stressful question mark.
From our government to support services to community organizations, people are stepping up to help. In fact, there are so many resources out there, it's hard to keep track! We thought we could make it a little less overwhelming and hopefully easier for you to find useful information by compiling this list to keep a few key resources together in one place.
1. Kids Help Phone
Our regular lives are stressful enough, never mind a pandemic that's got us worried about our health, our loved ones, and our futures. Kids Help Phone can help by giving you a confidential, judgment-free zone to vent, get answers to your questions, find information, and so much more. As they put it on their website: "Basically, counselling is about talking to someone who knows a lot about many different issues that young people face. We think of counselling as a conversation with someone whom you can trust, who won’t judge you, and who wants to help." You can get in touch with them 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
2. Government of Canada Support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19
This crisis has upended some key moments in our lives, so the Government of Canada has made some special resources available to help. There's an alternative benefit for those who are not eligible for CERB; the Canada Student Service Grant, which will help students gain valuable work experience and skills and provide financial support for your schooling in the fall; and much more. Visit their website for more information and to learn which supports you're eligible for.
3. Government of Canada's resources on cyberbullying
One symptom of being stuck at home is that our phones, laptops, and tablets are getting even more love than usual. We're really lucky to have all this tech; it's made it a lot easier to stay connected with friends and family, keep up to date on the latest news, continue with school from a safe distance, and so much more. But, as always, the virtual world comes with risks. The Government of Canada put these resources together specifically for teens dealing with cyberbullying. Give them a read whether you've experienced cyberbullying yourself, worry your friend might be a target, or want to make sure your own online activity is safe and respectful.
4. Attractions Ontario Virtual Tours and Online Collections
What would a list of supports and resources be without a guide to a little fun?! Since you can't go to them, many organizations are bringing their attractions straight to your home — for free! Check out this list to see all the cool ways you can fill your days, from browsing the AGO's collection, to taking an immersive 360 degree virtual tour of the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory's tropical paradise, to tuning in to the live shark stream at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.
The future sure does feel uncertain right now. But if there's anything you can count on, it's your YMCA. We’re here for you for the long haul, so stay tuned for more resources, tips, and guidance from our experts — and stay in touch! Let us know how you're coping by reaching out on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @YMCAGTA.
From our government to support services to community organizations, people are stepping up to help. In fact, there are so many resources out there, it's hard to keep track! We thought we could make it a little less overwhelming and hopefully easier for you to find useful information by compiling this list to keep a few key resources together in one place.
1. Kids Help Phone
Our regular lives are stressful enough, never mind a pandemic that's got us worried about our health, our loved ones, and our futures. Kids Help Phone can help by giving you a confidential, judgment-free zone to vent, get answers to your questions, find information, and so much more. As they put it on their website: "Basically, counselling is about talking to someone who knows a lot about many different issues that young people face. We think of counselling as a conversation with someone whom you can trust, who won’t judge you, and who wants to help." You can get in touch with them 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting CONNECT to 686868.
2. Government of Canada Support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19
This crisis has upended some key moments in our lives, so the Government of Canada has made some special resources available to help. There's an alternative benefit for those who are not eligible for CERB; the Canada Student Service Grant, which will help students gain valuable work experience and skills and provide financial support for your schooling in the fall; and much more. Visit their website for more information and to learn which supports you're eligible for.
3. Government of Canada's resources on cyberbullying
One symptom of being stuck at home is that our phones, laptops, and tablets are getting even more love than usual. We're really lucky to have all this tech; it's made it a lot easier to stay connected with friends and family, keep up to date on the latest news, continue with school from a safe distance, and so much more. But, as always, the virtual world comes with risks. The Government of Canada put these resources together specifically for teens dealing with cyberbullying. Give them a read whether you've experienced cyberbullying yourself, worry your friend might be a target, or want to make sure your own online activity is safe and respectful.
4. Attractions Ontario Virtual Tours and Online Collections
What would a list of supports and resources be without a guide to a little fun?! Since you can't go to them, many organizations are bringing their attractions straight to your home — for free! Check out this list to see all the cool ways you can fill your days, from browsing the AGO's collection, to taking an immersive 360 degree virtual tour of the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory's tropical paradise, to tuning in to the live shark stream at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada.
The future sure does feel uncertain right now. But if there's anything you can count on, it's your YMCA. We’re here for you for the long haul, so stay tuned for more resources, tips, and guidance from our experts — and stay in touch! Let us know how you're coping by reaching out on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @YMCAGTA.
