Programs for Youth and Students

Youth Hosting Youth

This high school matching program pairs up Canadian and newcomer youth to share experiences and celebrate their cultures during lunch hours at selected high schools in Saskatoon.

Youth Café

Newcomer youth in high school have an opportunity to build and strengthen relationships by taking a leadership role in activities and group conversations. Activities take place in lunch hours or after school during the school year at selected high schools in Saskatoon.

School Buddy Program

In elementary schools, student volunteers introduce newcomer students to the school community. The goal is to build friendships and a supportive learning environment over the course of six (6) weeks during lunch hours at selected elementary schools.

Youth Study Group

In an after-school drop-in tutoring program, high school students are invited to improve their course work with the help of university volunteers in a relaxed environment, at selected high schools in Saskatoon.

Youth Employment Connections

Newcomer youth of legal working age are connected with employers who understand their unique educational and employment needs. Presented at various high schools in Saskatoon.

Youth Empowerment Workshops

Topics include art, cooking, woodworking, spoken word, dancing, music and many more creative activities. The workshops are designed to help participants develop practical and artistic skills, build confidence and make long-lasting social connections. This program is delivered in partnership with the Saskatoon School Boards, SCYAP, CNYC, White Buffalo Youth Lodge, CHEP, the Saskatoon YMCA and many others.

Youth Sports Training and Activities

Sports and athletic activities for youth of all ages include swimming, soccer, long-distance running and many others. Financial aid to cover registration fees for low-income newcomer youth aged 4-18 is available for many sports. All program and individual funding is provided by the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charity, intended to get youth involved in sports and physical activity programs across Canada.

Youth Digital Storytelling

These workshops seek to enhance understanding between newcomer and Indigenous youth and promote cultural understanding within their communities. They teach participants how to create digital media productions through scripting, filming and editing and are intended to engage youth on cultural, relational, social and personal levels.

For more information click here. 

SSWIS Summer Camps

Our Settlement Support Workers in Schools Summer Camps are targeted towards new immigrants and children from low-income families aged 6-10. The camp is focused towards providing educational and recreational activities for children during the summer vacation period.

SSWIS Language Camps

These offer language instruction classes in the morning and fun-filled activities in the afternoon for refugee, newcomer and immigrant children aged 9-11 with low language benchmarks. Language camps allow campers to learn new skills and enhance their language competency in a safe and nurturing environment.

Summer Activities for Youth 2022

This summer program invites newcomer youth aged 12-18 to take part in a wide range of recreational and educational activities, including basketball, soccer, swimming, field trips and many more.

If you would like to register for Summer Youth Activities 2022, please register here.

Campus Companion

This program pairs newcomer youth with university students to learn about university and post-secondary studies. Newcomer youth tour the University of Saskatchewan campus and address their questions to a current student. The program takes place outside of school hours, at times and locations on campus determined by the individual youth and the student volunteer.

Voice of Youth Leadership Summit

The one-day youth leadership summit, organized by Youth Committee volunteers, is for discussion of the issues that impact youth today. The goal of the conference is to bring newcomer, Canadian and Indigenous youth together to engage in a dialogue with leaders in the community. Planning begins in December to present the conference in February or March.

For more information click here. 

Creating Youth Culture

A full day of diversity training in the spring at which high-school newcomer youth receive guidance on leadership and cultural diversity. The youth partake in dynamic activities and are taught how to share what they have learnt with younger students. Following the instruction, participants are shown how to facilitate their own presentations and can then present in elementary schools.

Peer Leader Training

A training program prior to the start of the school year, to build the capacity in well-established newcomer high-school students to develop and deliver school orientation workshops for new students and their families. These youth also act as leaders within their schools throughout the year to help newcomer youth make the transition and feel welcome and included.

This year's Peer Leader Training will take place:
Date: August 13-15, 2024
Location: TBA

If interested, please contact your SSWIS Worker.

Youth Leadership Initiative

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI), brings together newcomer and Canadian youth aged 14-24 to foster leadership skills and civic community engagement. This program is designed to provide youth with opportunities to explore various areas of community engagement, guiding them towards becoming future leaders who can drive positive change in their communities.

YLI is proud to be funded by the Saskatoon Community Foundation, which enables us to provide our program and resources to youth at no cost.

Participants will have the opportunity to work on their passion projects and report on their experiences and findings from the program at the next Youth Summit in 2024.

For more information click here.