We're providing young people in diverse and vulnerable neighbourhoods the opportunity to gain skills and certification as sporting coaches and as instructors with the Toronto Sport Leadership Program. It's helping young people find the confidence, skills, and experience to obtain employment and lead their communities.

Responding to a Crisis
In response to what has become known as the "Summer of the Gun" in 2005, the Toronto Community Foundation brought diverse groups together in a Toronto Dialogue to discuss the inter-related issues that were highlighted in our 2005 Toronto's Vital Signs® Report: high rates of youth violence, youth unemployment, school drop-outs, and drop-offs in youth recreation. We convened six institutional partners along with our Fundholders to work together for a common goal: increase access to opportunities for youth in training, employment, and community leadership.

Innovation for Impact
The resulting Toronto Sport Leadership Program is the first of its kind in Canada, providing young people the opportunity to gain skills, certification - and jobs as basketball and soccer coaches, lifeguards, and swim instructors.

Achieving Results
The Toronto Sport Leadership Program is a practical way to engage the disengaged and send a strong message to Toronto about who can be role models and leaders in their communities. In four years, more than 400 young Torontonians have graduated from the Program, gaining transferable, marketable skills, and forming a roster of diverse, qualified sports staff for public and private employers. Some further results:

• 75% of students successfully completed all certifications and are now nationally-certified coaches with secure employment opportunities.
• 95% successfully completed at least one certification, which leads to assistant coaching positions.
• 50% self-identified as being engaged in "high-risk" or harmful behaviours prior to attending the program.
• 80% have an increased sense of confidence and self-worth.
• 65% of youth secured employment.

Program Partners
The Toronto Sport Leadership Program is an important partnership among:

• Toronto Community Foundation
• City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation
• YMCA of Greater Toronto
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Toronto District School Board
• United Way Toronto

What Toronto is Saying
"We know that the most important things we can do to help our young people succeed are to give them access to education, recreation and employment. This program does all three. I would like to thank the Toronto Community Foundation for its support in helping to make this program happen."
Mayor David Miller

"It’s not just the benefit to these youth that’s really exciting – it’s the hundreds of other children they will affect as role models."
Oliver Carroll, Toronto District School Board

More Information
Learn more about how you can support the Toronto Sport Leadership Program ››