YMCA of Greater Toronto

Youth Leadership Programs

Develop your leadership potential.

Make new friends, develop your potential, and get involved in your community

The YMCA Youth Leadership Program will help you develop your leadership potential and provide you with opportunities to learn, grow and make contacts. If you’re new to Canada, then the Newcomer Youth Leadership Development Program (NYLD) is ideal for you! We will help you build valuable leadership, teamwork and social skills in a welcoming environment where you can make friends, and learn about your new home.

We're training tomorrow's leaders today at the YMCA

Be trained as a leader.

Learn how to take on leadership roles in your community.

Gain volunteer experiences and collect volunteer hours for school.

Learn about Canadian culture and society, and improve your English.

What Youth Are Saying

“YLD provided me with a chance to interact with other youth, share different perspectives and meet others from a variety of backgrounds. Through them I was able to examine a wider range of possibilities.”

—Nadine, age 17

“Before joining YLD I was shy. Because of YLD, I learned how to reach out and take responsibility. I also learned that it is fulfilling to help others and that you can have an effect on others.”

—Sarah, age 18

“YLD taught me skills like how to make a resume, which helped me when I started to look for a summer job.”

—Trevor, age 16

Youth Leadership Development Program

Do you want to make new friends? Build your confidence and skills for the future? Help your community? Feel even better about yourself? If so, the YMCA Youth Leadership Development Program (YLD) could be for you. Designed especially for youth between 11 and 18 years old, the program takes the best of today’s youth and helps them become the leaders of tomorrow. YLD combines leadership training, teamwork, self-government, and volunteer placement to help build confidence – and connections. This program can open doors for you, giving you the opportunity to:

Meet other youth
Build new skills
Participate and get involved in your community
Earn volunteer hours

Develop yourself. Get involved in your community. YLD lets you do both while also helping build confidence and connections. Groups meet weekly and meeting times vary by location. To learn more about the location closest to you and about this unique program, contact us at memberservices@ymcagta.org or call 416-928-9622 or 1-800-223-8024.

Newcomer Youth Leadership Development

The Newcomer Youth Leadership Development (NYLD) program is designed to help newcomer youth and parents have a positive settlement experience. NYLD offers a safe, supportive, and fun environment where you can meet new people, build new skills and get involved in your new community. More info here to learn about this program.