Youth Against Poverty
Want to take action against poverty in Toronto?
You are invited to join a cohort of young people passionate about ending the experience of poverty! Through YSM’s Youth Against Poverty (YAP) program, you can see our work up close, ask questions, share your own perspectives, and discover the ways in which you can uniquely become a part of the work to end the long-term experience of poverty in Toronto.
Put your creativity to work for the good of neighbours in need while also . . .
- Gaining real experience in fundraising, event management and content creation that you can add to your resumé, portfolio, school or job application
- Building new friendships
- Earning volunteer hours
No previous experience is required. We’ll coach you, provide training, support, and opportunities to put your skills into action. Whether you become a YAP Champion or Content Creator, you’ll be joining a community of change-makers working to build a Toronto where people, and not poverty, thrive.
YAP CHAMPION
As a Youth Against Poverty Champion, you’ll learn how to plan and promote a fundraiser and engage your network — whether at school, church, among your team, or somewhere else. You’ll take part in regular workshops, with topics that include:
- What does poverty look like in Toronto, and what factors are contributing to the problem?
- How to plan, budget, and organize a successful fundraiser.
- What marketing skills can help you communicate with and engage your network?
You’ll put all you learn into practice when you plan and lead your own fundraiser for Yonge Street Mission — testing out your new knowledge and giving you a completed project to add to your portfolio while also directly impacting the lives of vulnerable neighbours.
YAP CONTENT CREATOR
As a Youth Against Poverty Content Creator, use your creativity to help others learn more about poverty in Toronto and YSM’s work, while providing inspiration to get involved and become part of the solution by:
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Building excitement for YSM’s Winter Walk for Neighbours in Need, our annual fundraising walk. Create content that gets people signing up to walk, fundraise, or donate.
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Helping Gen Zs discover YSM. Find creative ways to talk about who we are, what we do, and how our work helps vulnerable Toronto neighbours.
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Raising awareness of donation needs, from non-perishable food to seasonal items like winter clothing, and even special treats like TikTok-viral birthday cake kits.
Use your voice for a meaningful cause, empower your followers to grow as community change-makers, and build your creative portfolio.
Learn more about YSM's Youth Against Poverty (YAP) program
About Yonge Street Mission (YSM)
Poverty is part of life for an increasing number of Toronto neighbours, but it doesn’t have to be.
For 130 years, Yonge Street Mission has been walking alongside vulnerable youth, families and adults to offer immediate relief services as well as the long-term holistic support needed to build stability and long-term thriving. Our programs include community meals and a Food Bank, housing and employment support, free health and mental healthcare, one-on-one advocacy and support, and more.