Helping Youth Thrive and Meet Their Full Potential
From helping youth have more positive experiences at school to supporting them in developing valuable life and employment skills, YMCA BC's range of youth programs supports pre-teens, teens, and young adults in many different ways. Youth participating in our programs have a sense of belonging, develop more confidence, gain practical skills, and have fun! See what we have to offer. Browse our program offerings below.
Youth Take Initiative
Want to make a difference in your community while making new friends and developing leadership, life, and employment skills? Join us for the Youth Take Initiative program! This new youth program aims to support people aged 15 to 30 in gaining valuable volunteer experience in Surrey, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack.
Youth Take Initiative is currently on pause and not accepting new participants. Please check back for dates and registration details.
Youth Transitions Program
The Youth Transitions Program is a free service for youth ages 11 to 19 who need additional support during transition points in school and life. The program fosters a sense of belonging through one-on-one support and interactive workshops.
Alternative Suspension
This program in Coquitlam and Abbotsford encourages school perseverance by inviting students to identify what empowers them. Students are referred by school districts to participate in academic support, 1-1 meetings and life-skills training. This allows students facing challenges to reflect and build the strategies needed to return to school. (Our Surrey program is temporarily closed.)
Made possible through our funding partners.
To learn more, contact alternativesuspension@bc.ymca.ca or 604-652-3656.
Y Mind Teen
Y Mind Teen is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. This program supports teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to cope with stress and anxiety. Y Mind Teen is led by trained mental health professionals and gives teens the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. Made possible through our funding partners.
Y Mind Youth
If anxiety is impacting your life and preventing you from doing what you want or need to do, this group is for you. Y Mind Youth is a free seven-week program delivered across BC. Y Mind Youth supports people ages 18-30 who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety to learn and practice evidence-based strategies to increase coping. This group is led by trained mental health professionals and gives young adults the chance to connect with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and feelings. Made possible through our funding partners.
YMCA Community Action Network
The YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN) is a national program that engages young people ages 15 to 30 in community service projects. Youth who are interested can create or join a group that will identify and execute a local service project that is meaningful to them.
YCAN is currently on pause and not accepting new participants. Please check back for dates and registration details.
This program is made possible by our funding partners.
Youth Employment Services
Your path to employment starts here. YMCA BC has extensive experience successfully delivering youth-centered employment programs. We work with program participants to learn how to get a job, keep a job and achieve their career potential.
Our Youth Employment Services programs are open to individuals aged 15 to 30. Click below to learn more.
Youth Peace Network
Imagine what a group of young, motivated peacemakers from all around the world could accomplish in eight months? The Youth Peace Network program brings youth together from all corners of the globe to help create global awareness and understanding of other cultures and to build peace. Participants are guided through sessions dedicated to developing leadership, intercultural communication and conflict resolution skills. Participants foster regional and international networks and spend time facilitating global activities with youth programs across Canada. This program is offered online to youth volunteers, staff or members of YMCAs outside of Canada age 19-30 years.
To learn more contact ymcaglobal@bc.ymca.ca.