Young man overcomes mental health challenges and discovers rewarding career through Youth Job Connection Program
Like so many teens, Mohit headed to university fresh out of high school. But the program wasn’t what he expected, and instead of finishing his degree, he spent the next five years as a self-employed YouTuber. At the time, Mohit thought he was feeling isolated and unhappy because he always worked from home. It wasn’t until he was diagnosed with a mental illness that he knew he needed to make a change.
Turning to the Youth Job Connection program for support
In 2018, Mohit’s sister found a job through the YMCA Employment Services’ Youth Job Connection (YJC). Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, YJC provides intensive supports to youth aged 15 to 29 who experience barriers to employment.
Mohit’s sister connected him with Youth Job Specialist Alicia, who quickly became a very influential person in his life.
“Alicia’s really nice all the time and says things like, ‘you can do this,’ ‘you’re amazing,’ and ‘you’re an awesome person!’ Every single time I hear those words, I believe in myself a little bit more,” says Mohit.
Learning what it takes to become employment-ready
It was almost like YJC was made for him. For someone who’d spent the last 5 years working alone, the class environment was particularly appealing. Mohit says his fellow YJC participants were positive and caring — exactly what he needed.
He even participated in a session specifically about mental health, where he learned strategies to build physical and mental wellness like eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
“Being able to manage those things is really important…not just for a job, but for your daily life,” Mohit explains.
The group also practiced relaxation and calming strategies like breathing exercises and grounding yourself in stressful situations.
Entering the workforce for the first time
Once he completed YJC’s workshops, Mohit landed a full-time job placement at Pearson Airport as a guide for people navigating Canadian customs.
He says many travelers feel overwhelmed, especially if they’re worried about missing a connecting flight. The best part of his day is easing their stress by putting a smile on their face.
“It’s so rewarding helping people all the time,” he says. “At the end of the day, I feel really good about it.”
And he’s not only supporting others; a good job has proved to be good for Mohit. He says he’s seen positive improvements in his mental well-being since starting his placement.
“The program was a huge change in my life because beforehand, I was struggling a lot,” he recalls. “Now I wake up and I’m excited about my job. Anytime I’m stressed out, I just take a moment to breathe deeply and ground myself in the situation,” he explains.
Working at the airport has been such a positive experience, Mohit says he’d like to pursue a long-term career there. In that sense, YJC gave him more than a job; it gave him hope for the future.
Interested in joining the Youth Job Connection program? Book a free appointment with a YMCA Employment Specialist to see if the program is right for you!
