Youth Outreach Worker Program (YOW)
YOW is an initiative in the region of Peel that helps youth and their families access the support they need for healthy development.
About Youth Outreach Worker Program
YOW is an initiative that helps youth ages 12–21 and their families access community services and resources they need for healthy development. Sponsored by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS), this free program is available in the region of Peel at Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.
The purpose of the YOW initiative is to help at-risk youth, high-risk youth, and their families better navigate and connect with services and pro-social opportunities in their communities to improve youth outcomes.
Youth and their families experiencing barriers in accessing developmental opportunities can benefit from YOW by receiving mentorship support to improve their ability to make healthy life choices and achieve their goals.
Eligibility for the Youth Outreach Worker Program
You can gain access and support from YOW if you are:
- Youth, ages 12–21
- A resident of the region of Peel – Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga
- Facing multiple barriers to success and/or are disengaged from your communities
Based on a positive youth development model, YOW builds relationships with youth and their families to:
- Help youth and their families identify and articulate their needs.
- Use an evidence-based process to support youth to make positive changes in their lives.
- Raise awareness of, and facilitate access to, locally available prevention and intervention resources through information-sharing and referrals that respond to individual needs and risk factors, and reinforce strengths.
- Foster communication and connections among community agencies/organizations (e.g. health care providers, employment services, schools) to improve access and reduce barriers to services and supports.
Your youth outreach specialist can help you and your family with:
- Employment
- Volunteer hours
- Access to public services
- Community inclusion
- Substance abuse
- Counselling
- Legal support
- Mental health
And much more.
Youth Outreach Worker Program Results
Through the YOW support, we aim to empower youth participants that:
- are engaged in their communities
- have families and/or caring adults equipped to help them thrive
- know about, and easily navigate, community resources
- make choices that support healthy and safe development
Program Delivery Sites
Brampton YMCA Employment and Community Services | Meadowvale YMCA Employment & Community Services | Mississauga YMCA Employment and Community Services |
Contact Us to Learn More
For more information about this program, please call 905-276-9322 or email ymca.peelyow@ymcagta.org.