Youth Programs
The Newcomer Youth Centre (NYC) at CultureLink was established in 1997 and has since offered very progressive and unique programming for newcomer and refugee youth in Toronto.
The mission of the NYC is to create and provide programming where newcomer and refugee youth can form communities and break out of their isolation; a safe place where there is no discrimination and where inclusion, respect, and tolerance are the norm for all. The NYC also attempts to instill in newcomer and refugee youth civic pride and a sense of belonging to Canada by offering programs that promote social justice, healthy lifestyles, and environmental stewardship, and a place where newcomer youth may find help in dealing with immigration procedures, issues of identity, integration and adaptation, bullying, violence prevention, intergenerational conflict at home, discrimination, and racism. We provide orientation and advocacy services for refugee claimants and “out-of-status” youth.
The NYC is funded by the city of Toronto, the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, Toronto Public Health, the Toronto Arts Council, and Service Canada.
We are partners with the Toronto Cyclists Union, St. Christopher’s House Parkdale Youth Space initiative, the Roma Community Centre, The Stop Community Food Centre; the City of Toronto’s Parks and Recreation “Share in Sports Initiative,” the Sanderson public library and Bloor & Gladstone public library branches, the Dufferin Grove Community Centre, and the Dufferin Mall Youth Services (DMYS). Our programs are open to any newcomer/refugee youth residing in the city of Toronto.
Our youth programs include:
- English Conversation Circles/Homework Club
- Wintegration/Taking Green Roots/Global Roots Garden
- Speak Out–LGBTQ
- Summer Theatre Program
- Summer Newcomer Soccer League
