A Year of BTC: Building a Brighter Future for Toronto's Youth

At Thrive, we're always exploring innovative ways to grow and adapt to the needs of the young folks we work with, which can result in us developing and launching new programs based on their critical feedback and insights. We're excited to share the positive impact our newest program stream, Build to Change (BTC), has had in Toronto this past year. Thanks to generous support from the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the Counselling Foundation of Canada, and Ecclesiastical Insurance’s Community Impact Grant, we were able to pilot this program with 54 incredible young Torontonians across five cohorts, replicating the success we saw when we first piloted this program in Vancouver in 2023.  

What is BTC?

BTC is designed to equip youth with the essential skills they need to thrive in school, the workplace, and life. Over 10 sessions, youth ages 11 to 14 engage in interactive workshops, work with local guest artists, and craft collaborative projects, focusing on community, empathy, accountability, and self-reflection. Participants create final art pieces addressing social issues that matter to them, culminating in a celebration and presentation of their work.  

“I like the topics we talk about and it’s generally a safe space for all creativity.” BTC Participant, age 12

Exploring Different Formats

We piloted BTC in three distinct formats to ensure accessibility and cater to different learning styles:  

1. After-School at the Community Centre: This drop-in format offered flexibility and allowed youth to explore various topics and activities at their own pace.

2. School-Based Program: Integrated into school as an after-school program, this format was super accessible to students and provided a welcoming environment for wrapping up the day with great energy and creativity.

3. Intensive Summer Camp: Held at the Malvern Family Resource Centre, this immersive format allowed for deeper exploration of concepts and fostered strong bonds between participants.

Making a Difference

The BTC program has made a real difference in the lives of the participating youth. Pre- and post-program surveys showed noticeable improvements in their engagement with school, their outlook on future careers, and their belief in their ability to make a difference in their community. These are all great indicators of how they will move forward in life with confidence, helping them strive toward being the best versions of themselves that they want to be.

“This program made me understand that my voice matters.” BTC Participant, age 13

Here are some highlights:

• The program reached 54 youth, exceeding our initial goal.

• Participants showed significant growth in public speaking, problem-solving, creative expression, and thinking outside the box.

• Anonymous surveys showed that participants felt that BTC provided a safe and engaging space for them to learn and grow, with over 97% reporting that they found the program to be enjoyable, and 88.5% reporting that it met or exceeded their expectations.

• The pilot program has laid the groundwork for expanding BTC in Toronto.

BTC participants in action at the Malvern Family Resource Centre

What's Next?

We're committed to building on the success of the BTC pilot program and reaching even more youth in Toronto. We have plans to introduce an in-school BTC stream in partnership with several local schools, as well as expand our summer camp offerings. Our vision is to create a lasting support system for youth that grows with them, helping them transition into advanced leadership programs like our Youth Lead Impact (YLI) program.

Thank You, Supporters!

We're deeply grateful to the Peter Gilgan Foundation, the Counselling Foundation of Canada, and Ecclesiastical Insurance for their generous support of the BTC Toronto pilot. Their support made this opportunity possible and will continue to have a significant impact on the lives of Toronto's youth as we grow and expand this offering.

We're excited to see what the future holds for BTC and the amazing young people we work with. Stay tuned for updates on our journey!