THE IMPACT WE HOPE TO SEE:
THE IMPACT WE HOPE TO SEE:
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We will intentionally increase our engagement with vulnerable youth, with the hope that a growing number of these friends will experience wholistic transformation.
We will intentionally increase our engagement with vulnerable youth, with the hope that a growing number of these friends will experience wholistic transformation.
• At YU, we define a vulnerable youth as a young person who is facing internal, situational, and/or systemic barriers that are likely to expose them to harm and/or prevent them from experiencing wholistic transformation.
WHY ENGAGING VULNERABLE YOUTH MATTERS IN TORONTO TODAY:
WHY ENGAGING VULNERABLE YOUTH MATTERS IN TORONTO TODAY:
• Our city has the most income inequality in the country. Between 1999 and 2016, net worth increased by a mere $2,100 for the bottom 20% of our population and by more than $600,000 for the top 20%.
(Vital Signs Report)• More than 125,000 children and youth are living in poverty in Toronto.
(Statistics Canada)• 1 in 4 children growing up in poverty will remain poor as adults. That means, without intervention, more than 30,000 children will not escape poverty as adults in Toronto.
(Social Planning Toronto)• While crimes are increasing city-wide, the highest crime neighbourhoods have more than 50 times the rate of crime as the lowest.
(Toronto Police Service)• Vulnerability also disproportionately impacts racialized youth. For example, in 2017, 53% of black students in Toronto were in university-bound academic programs as compared to 81% of white and 80% of other racialized students. Conversely, 39% of black students were enrolled in applied programs, compared to 18% of other racialized groups and 16% of white students.
(CBC News, Social Planning Toronto)
HOW YU IS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE VULNERABLE YOUTH:
HOW YU IS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE VULNERABLE YOUTH:
• Youth Unlimited has been working in vulnerable communities for over 30 years. Last year, more than 70% of the 1,314 youth we regularly engaged were experiencing vulnerability in some way.
• 31 of our 65 active initiatives are specifically designed to reach vulnerable youth, with many more intentionally engaging vulnerable youth.
• Our model of transformation roots us geographically in communities for long-term relationships – sometimes journeying with youth for more than 15 years. It is these relationships that change the narrative of vulnerability in our communities.
• We recognize the transformative potential of every young person knowing they are created for a purpose by a loving God. Communicating and sharing this hope allows young people to see their stories break out of the cycles around them.
• YU has over 165 partnerships, which are essential in providing comprehensive support to young people and their communities.
1. Educate yourself: Become aware of what vulnerability is and how it impacts you, young people, and our city. Try starting with Toronto’s “Vital Signs” report!
2. Give: Donate charitably to organizations making a positive difference in addressing youth vulnerability – whether individually, in communities, or systemically.
3. Advocate: Reshape the conversation! In your sphere of influence, be part of changing the narrative about our city and those on the margins. Start by trying to eliminate any “us and them” dialogues with your peers.
4. Get Involved: Find out what’s going on in your neighbourhood or beyond and dive in.
Thank you for diving deeper into Making Space with Youth Unlimited.
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