Black Achievers Mentorship Program
This program is dedicated to the advancement of Black youth in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and aims to provide them with opportunities to develop socially and academically with the support of Black mentors and role models.
Black Achievers Mentorship Program is a signature program of the YMCA of Greater Toronto championed by our Black Experience Staff Advisory Committee (BESAC) and dedicated to the advancement of Black (including African- and Caribbean-Canadian or other newcomer) youth.
The YMCA Black Achievers Scholarship Drive is now live!
You can support scholarships for post-secondary tuition awarded directly to Black youth mentees in their final year of high school.
Who Can Get Involved?
To start, the Black Achievers Mentorship Program will bring together youth ages 14 to 19 who identify as Black, are high school students and live in Scarborough communities.
As this is a new program, we want to ensure we’re delivering the best possible program to Black youth. By introducing the program to select neighbourhoods in Scarborough, the Y will be able to learn first-hand what students need before expanding to other parts of the Greater Toronto Area. Introducing the program in communities in Scarborough allowed us to learn first-hand what students need and to ensure that we're delivering the best possible program to Black youth, before expanding to other parts of the Greater Toronto Area
When Is the Black Achievers Mentorship Program Starting?
- Black mentors and role models in the community and their experiences at a similar age
- Workplace and post-secondary campus exposure through visits and event participation
- Life and interpersonal skills as they learn about different pathways to available careers and networking
- A welcoming community of support from participating mentors and the YMCA of Greater Toronto
What Does the Program Include?
Youth programs at the Y are specifically designed to help youth achieve their goals or get back on track. New friends, new skills, counselling — you can find it all and more at the Y!
The Black Achievers Mentorship Program will help participating youth connect with Black mentors and role models to facilitate access to resources, connections and education including:
- Mentoring for life skills, study skills, interpersonal skills, and to learn about pathways to various careers
- Workplace visits and post-secondary campus tours
- Career development testing
- Community service and events
- Leveraging partner relationships to potentially build out resources like tutoring and scholarships
Why Now?
We want more Black young people to have aspiration, opportunity and support to complete their education, get volunteer/work experience, and transition to meaningful and stable career paths. Ultimately, the project aims to help Black youth achieve the support, life skills, and improved employment outcomes that will positively affect their lifelong health and well-being.
Help Make Black Achievers Possible
The Black Achievers Program is entirely funded by donors — we can’t run it without your support!
Right now, there is a waitlist of Black youth in the GTA who are eager to join the program.
Your donation can help us expand and clear that waitlist.
Special Thanks to Our Donors
Every year, our charity serves Black youth in the community through leadership development programs and other services, and thanks to the support of our donors, the Y is able to continue supporting communities through important initiatives such as Black Achievers.
Our Founding Launch Donors
- CIBC
- The Peter Gilgan Foundation
- Ted Rogers Community Grant
- Donette Chin-Loy Chang
- bluboho
Partners and Donors
- Toronto Community Housing
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
Upcoming Events
Program Updates and Highlights
We're excited to share updates and highlights from our Black Achievers Mentorship program. Read our latest newsletter updates, and browse photos showcasing our mentors and mentees below.
Desjardin Youth Entrepreneurship Gala
Black Achievers Holiday Party
Rogers Laptop Recipients
Black Achievers Youth at Cedar Glen Camp
Public Speaking Competition
Debate Competition
Black Achievers Mentors
Graduation Ceremony 2023
Scholarship Recipient
