Youth Empowerment Program

TWP’s signature program,  which involves the academic support component of mentorship program, to create a learning environment that is conducive for academic improvement and thus future success.

The Youth Empowerment Program seeks to achieve the following for all participants:

• Improved academic performance
• Improved student/teacher and/or guidance counselor relationships  
• Improved problem-solving and social skills
• Increased self-acceptance and self-confidence
• Increased engagement with academic support programs  

Through this program youth are given the opportunity to examine their personal needs, alongside their current educational and socio-economical circumstances, to hep them both realize and create a plan to achieve their ultimate career and life goals.

Youth Leadership and Volunteerism Program

This program is geared toward providing youth with opportunities to develop social, life, and employment-related skills through co-op placements, job shadowing, and volunteerism.

Last Year, a total of 120 youth and 92 adult mentors had the opportunity to get involve in the following projects/activities through the Youth Leadership and Volunteerism Program: 

• Durham Caribbean Festival - Parking and Garbage Clean Up
  • 15 Youth
• Canada Day/150 Year Celebration - Parking
  • 20 Youth & 10 Adult Mentors
• Pumpkinville Greenwood - Parking/Supervising Children Rides
  • 6 Youth & 8 Adult Mentors
• On Tour (Free Concert) - Parking and Clean Up
  • 15 Youth & 10 Adult Mentors
• The Wilson Project's Annual Fundraising Galas
  • 20 Youth & 25 Adult Mentors
• Unique Solutions - Volunteerism
  • 3 Youth & 2 Adult Mentors
• Silkeny -Trade Show-Metro Convention Centre - Volunteerism
  • 4 Youth & 6 Adult Mentors
• Reliable Handy Man Services - Construction and Volunteerism 
  • 3 Youth & 4 Adult Mentors  
• Gardening Project - Volunteerism 
  • 4 Youth & 4 Adult Mentors
• Carea Community Health Centre - Volunteerism
  • 6 Youth & 4 Adult Mentors
• Ken Co's Car Care Inc. - Volunteerism 
  • 9 Youth & 6 Adult Mentors
• Scrap Metal Program - Youth Enterprise
  • 10 Youth & 4 Adults Mentors
• Encore Flooring - Volunteerism
  • 5 Youth & 3 Adult Mentors

This program is ideal for youth but is open to all ages. Whether you are a young person looking for community service hours or an adult wanting to give back, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you.

Family and Community Engagement Program

A youth engagement strategy with a three-fold focus framework: family reunification, connection to positive adult role models, and peer-to-peer bonding through socialization. 

Last year April 2017 to March 2018, the The Wilson Project was able to engage 603 participants in its field-trip and social activities/entertainment programming. Out of the 603 participants, 150 were parents and adult mentors and 453 were youth.

Through the YEP, youth are able to strengthen their relationships with parents and families while cultivating new relationships with other peers and adults.  Some of the social activities attended included: the Toronto Blue Jays, the Toronto Raptors, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Toronto Football Club, and concerts at the Sony Centre for Performing Arts.

By attending community activities, sporting events, and field-trips, youth are able to strengthen their relationships with their parents/families and cultivate new and positive connections with other peers and adults.  

All of the tickets utilized for the Family and Community Engagement Program are secured through donations. The Wilson Project would like to extend a special thank you to Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region, as well as the management and staff of the Toronto Blues Jays, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Toronto Raptors.

Yvonne's Heart

An initiative inspired by the caring heart of Kenroy’s mother, Yvonne, Yvonne’s Heart demonstrates compassion and devotion to the community by providing for those less fortunate. With a lifetime's experience of coordinating different initiatives for the poor both in Jamaica and Canada, Yvonne has decided to concentrate her efforts to serve young people and their families within The Wilson Project.

This initiative channels donations from local businesses and the community to those in need within the Durham Region.Through Yvonne's Heart, over 30 families, 12 barber shops/hair salons, 4 small catering businesses, and 18 individual youth have benefited from a wide variety of household goods and supplies such as furniture, kitchen utensils and equipment, beds, toiletries, clothing, blankets, bed sheets, towels and nonperishable food items; a total of $34,980.  

In November 2017 , Yvonne’s Heart was able to donate 200 mats to the Durham Catholic District School Board's Youth Reading Program, through the kind contributions from Encore Flooring.   

On behalf of The Wilson Project, Yvonne’s Heart would like to thank all of the donors that have contributed towards making a difference in the lives our youth, families, and local businesses.