Youth Engagement Program (YEG)
Empowering underserved youth aged 12 to 30 through volunteer service,
skill-building, and real-world experience. The Youth Engagement Program (YEG) is a free, two-year initiative proudly supported by the Canada Service Corps (CSC) under the Regional Service Placement stream. YEG equips youth with industry-relevant certifications, leadership opportunities, and meaningful 120-hour volunteer placements with local organizations—helping them grow personally and professionally while addressing community needs.
About Canada Service Corps (CSC)
CSC, a national initiative from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), aims to create, promote, and facilitate volunteer service opportunities that are meaningful for youth—especially those who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomers, 2SLGBTQI+, or otherwise underserved.
OLDF’s YEG initiative aligns with CSC’s goals by promoting:
• Civic and democratic engagement
• Inclusive participation
• Youth-led community action
Program Objectives & Target Impact
• Support 160 underserved youth (80 annually until Feb 2027)
• Ensure at least 50% of participants are from equity-deserving groups
• Provide each youth with 120 hours of service and formal recognition (certificates, badges)
• Offer wraparound supports (e.g., loaner laptops, bus passes)
• Use youth co-design to promote leadership and confidence
• Implement continuous improvement via feedback
• Track progress using a data-driven impact system
Certifications & Training Streams
• HIGH FIVE® Certification – Working with children aged 5–12
• Digital Skills & Social Media Training – Content creation, platform management, and branding
• IC3 Digital Literacy Certification – Core computer, internet, and productivity software skills
• Intuit QuickBooks Certification – Accounting, invoicing, and small business finance
• Project Management Ready Certification – Planning, executing, and tracking projects
• Essential Skills Development – Communication, teamwork, resume building, and workplace readiness
Community Engagement
Youth complete their 120-hour volunteer placements with local organizations to apply their skills in real-world contexts while giving back to their communities. These placements are co-designed with host
organizations to ensure meaningful engagement.
We are currently:
• Accepting youth (ages 12–30) interested in training and volunteering
• Inviting organizations to host youth volunteers or refer eligible youth
Recognition & Celebration
Each youth:
Earns certificates and digital badges
Is celebrated through one of the three public gatherings and social media spotlights
Can access a padfolio, training toolkit, and transportation support (PRESTO)
Get Involved
YEG – Student Volunteer Registration Form:
https://forms.gle/AFUfBgq86zV7V34e7
YEG – Placement Form for Organizations Referring Youth:
https://forms.gle/9dpzDpRNH5e1hkiZ7
Contact Us
Maya Wanjohi
Email: ypa@oldf.org
Phone: 416-628-3786
