Community Services

Youth Futures

Youth Futures offers equity deserving youth between the ages of 16 and 21 the support they need to complete their high school education and successfully transition into post-secondary programs.

Service Overview

Youth Futures is an Ottawa-based program that supports equity deserving youth between the ages of 16 and 21 living in low-income and social housing communities. The program supports students in completing their high school education and successfully transitioning into post-secondary programs. Running intensively for a six-month period between February and August of each year, Youth Futures is provided at no cost to the participants and is offered in both English and French.

Program Components

1. Leadership and Skills Development

The City of Ottawa’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services offers this exciting educational program from February to May. The program components include:

  • Leadership and team building activities and games
  • Communication skills
  • Resume preparation
  • Interview preparation
  • Employment / office etiquette training
  • Certifications (CPR, First Aid and AODA - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

2. Mentorship

  • Guidance and support throughout leadership and skills development training
  • Support during employer placements

3. Employment

  • Six-week paid employment experience
  • Networking opportunities
  • Mentorship support

4. Post-Secondary Preparation

  • Site visits to Ottawa post-secondary campuses
  • Exposure to post-secondary programming, campus life and available student resources
  • Meet faculty and students
  • Application support

For more information, please visit the Youth Futures website.

Learn More

Youth Futures is an Ottawa-based program that supports equity deserving youth between the ages of 16 and 21 living in low-income and social housing communities. The program supports students in completing their high school education and successfully transitioning into post-secondary programs. Running intensively for a six-month period between February and August of each year, Youth Futures is provided at no cost to the participants and is offered in both English and French.

Program Components

1. Leadership and Skills Development

The City of Ottawa’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services offers this exciting educational program from February to May. The program components include:

  • Leadership and team building activities and games
  • Communication skills
  • Resume preparation
  • Interview preparation
  • Employment / office etiquette training
  • Certifications (CPR, First Aid and AODA - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

2. Mentorship

  • Guidance and support throughout leadership and skills development training
  • Support during employer placements

3. Employment

  • Six-week paid employment experience
  • Networking opportunities
  • Mentorship support

4. Post-Secondary Preparation

  • Site visits to Ottawa post-secondary campuses
  • Exposure to post-secondary programming, campus life and available student resources
  • Meet faculty and students
  • Application support

For more information, please visit the Youth Futures website.

Need more Information?

Please contact Elietra Samuel at esamuel@bgcottawa.org.

Partners

Positive relationships.
Life-changing programs.
Meaningful impact.

Your donation will power positive impact for children and youth across the Ottawa region. Opportunity changes everything.

93%
say they take more initiative
92%
say they are more accepting of others
90%
say they make better choices
93%
say they take more initiative
92%
say they are more accepting of others
90%
say they make better choices

Help Build a Better Community

You can help thousands of children and youth in Ottawa’s most vulnerable communities reach their full potential by supporting the highest priority needs of the Club or you may choose to designate your funds to the programming pillar that has the greatest meaning for you personally. Your gift will make a significant impact in serving the needs of our community.

We must acknowledge

BGC Ottawa acknowledges that our work spans many Territories and Treaty areas and we are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers Elders who are with us today, those who have gone before us and the youth that continuously inspire us in the work that we do. BGC Ottawa's mission statement is to provide safe, supportive places where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life. We recognize that these values are impossible to attain without the ongoing guidance and partnerships with Indigenous peoples.