NYLD Program Assistant

Time CommitmentThe school year program runs from September to June. A volunteer will be required one day after school during the week and occasionally on other weeknights or weekends for special activities. The summer program runs from the beginning of July to the end of August. Activities will be held three times a week during day time hours, plus occasional evenings, weekend trips, or special events.

Minimum Age21

Location(s)Available at various YMCA Centres in the Greater Toronto Area. This position is also available virtually.

Program Description

The Newcomer Youth Leadership Development (NYLD) program is a unique leadership-based settlement program for newcomer youth and their families with a focus on integration, settlement, skill-building, volunteerism and community involvement.

Major Duties

Major Duties May Include:

• Assisting staff in planning, running, and set up and take down of NYLD activities.
• Assisting with program preparation (e.g. photocopying, planning games and activities, calling participants, etc.).
• Assisting with running of weekly activities including supervising outings and ensuring the safety of the youth, planning and facilitating icebreakers and teambuilding activities and helping with activity set up and post-activity clean up (if needed).
• Assisting with special event planning and delivery.

Virtual activities may include:

• Assisting staff in planning, running, and facilitating virtual NYLD activities on Zoom.
• Assisting with program preparation (e.g. planning virtual games and activities, developing ice breakers, providing program staff with research on select settlement and integration topics, etc.).
• Assisting with running of weekly activities including planning and facilitating icebreakers, supervising Zoom chats and responding to questions as necessary, supporting teambuilding activities, taking attendance, encouraging youth to participate, etc.
• Assisting with special event planning and delivery including helping interns and program mentors with activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum age 21.
• Successful applicants to this role will need to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening from their local police service before their first day of volunteering and every three years on the anniversary of their first day of volunteering.
• Experience working or volunteering with youth (ages 13-24).
• Strong English language skills (written and oral).
• Experience and sensitivity dealing with people from different cultural, racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Familiarity with the city of Toronto and Peel region- including public transportation.
• Responsible, punctual, outgoing and friendly.
• Preference will be given to candidates with an interest in pursuing a career working with youth/newcomers.

Benefits

• Gain experience working with newcomer youth and families.
• Learn about diversity at the YMCA and meet new people from all walks of life.
• Be a part of the YMCA team and promote the YMCA Mission, Vision and Values.

How to apply

Complete the online volunteer application. You will need to provide the position title and location information of this position during step 3 of the application.

Looking for a Different Role?

Check out the full list of our volunteer opportunities.

Why Volunteer for the Y?

The YMCA of Greater Toronto aspires to be a great place to volunteer through an environment that embraces diversity and social inclusion, valuing differences and supporting full participation by all volunteers.  The YMCA provides more than 5500 volunteers with meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities.  The YMCA works to build healthy communities.  This is achieved through a robust volunteer staff partnership, shared culture and values. 

Our Commitments

The YMCA of Greater Toronto values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association.

 We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.

About YMCA of Greater Toronto

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a dynamic charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership. Our 2010-2020 strategic plan Strong Start Great Future calls upon our Association to invest in young people across their life stages to deliver on our vision of ensuring our communities will be home to the healthiest children, teens and young adults. This community health strategy includes a significant role for adults and older adults.

Mirroring the region’s diversity, the YMCA offers a variety of programs responding to the needs of the community, including employment and essential skills, education, newcomer programs, youth outreach and intervention, fitness, sports and aquatics, international programs, child care and camps. 

When you support the YMCA of Greater Toronto, you help us ensure more children, youth and young adults have the chance to be healthy… and so much more. We believe that by providing our children with a strong start, they will have a great future. And, ultimately, strong, healthy children mean strong, healthy communities in the GTA for the years to come.