Welcome to the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) — a program dedicated to bringing together newcomer and Canadian youth aged 12–24 to foster leadership skills and civic engagement. Our initiative provides opportunities for youth to explore various areas of community engagement, guiding them toward becoming future leaders who can drive positive change in their communities.

Youth Leadership Initiative is funded in part by Canada Service Corps and in part by Scotiabank, a national movement that empowers youth aged 12–24 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more about Canada Service Corps at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps.

What is the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI)?

At YLI, we believe that community engagement is essential for youth to develop a sense of responsibility and ownership toward their communities. The program includes:

– Volunteer activities that provide valuable experience, networking opportunities, and skill-building.
– Leadership training, public speaking workshops, and team-building exercises to equip youth with the tools needed to become effective leaders.
– Youth-led Passion Projects, which offer real-life experience in fostering and championing change.
Participants will work on their Passion Projects and present their experiences and findings at the next Youth Summit in 2026.

Our program encourages youth to take ownership of their development and step into leadership roles within their communities. Through educational workshops and site visits, participants gain hands-on experience and exposure to various community organizations and initiatives.

YLI helps youth:
– Identify community needs
– Develop and execute impactful projects
– Collaborate in team environments

We encourage youth to step outside their comfort zones and explore different avenues of civic engagement. At YLI, we are committed to creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth, empowering youth to reach their full potential as community leaders.