Developing Resilient Youth

The Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker (EYOW) program is geared to youth experiencing challenges related to mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship violence, or human/sex trafficking. We provide participants with techniques to help them cope with the issues they are facing and connect them to additional services to help strengthen their self-esteem. The program:

• Is a clinical intervention program for youth 12 to 21

• Connects youth with services within the Region to help them develop coping skills

• Connects youth with services within the Region to help them develop coping skills

• Empowers youth and their families to take action to improve their well-being Provides mentorship and advocates for improved access to services on behalf of youth and their families

Contact our Client Service Navigator at 905-455-6789  ext. 125 or email intake@rootscs.org.

The Black Leaders of Tomorrow (BLT) program is our youth business mentoring program. We match mentors with youth who identify as Black and who want to develop their business and professional leadership skills. The BLT program helps youth hone their communication, leadership, and financial management skills. It offers Black youth the opportunity to learn and grow with the support of seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals.

• Geared toward youth ages 16 to 24

• Matches youth with a business mentor in which youth develop their business acumen and apply their knowledge to developing a business plan

• Inspires youth to embrace their identity, make healthy and safe choices, increase resiliency and make progress toward their identified goals

• Provides opportunities for youth to realize their passion and/or talent

• Creates an environment where business leaders are encouraged and willing to use their talents to elevate Black youth

• Youth who complete the program successfully are eligible to obtain an honorarium

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services through the Ontario Black Youth Action Plan.

Learn more about the BLT program and how to become a mentee or mentor...

Contact Tasha at  905-455-6789 ext. 118, or by email at tasha@rootscs.org, or Nikko at 905-455-6789 ext. 113, or mentoring@rootscs.org.

We have partnered with other agencies serving the black community, the United Way Greater Toronto, Peel District School Board, and the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board in the Region of Peel to implement the Black Youth School Success Initiative. The program:

• Is a collaboration of agencies who provide wrap-around services to help Black youth graduate or be on track for graduation

• We provide tutoring and life skills workshops to partnering schools

• Provides tutoring and life skills workshops to youth in partnering schools

Contact Rhona at 905-455-6789 ext. 103 or email rhona@rootscs.org

Student and Family Advocates support Black students and their families as they navigate the education system. This initiative addresses disparities in educational outcomes due to systemic and structural barriers. Working from anti-Black racism, anti-oppression and cultural-safety lenses, the program promotes responsive education systems, positive student outcomes and increased student belonging.

• Deliver services in the Region of Peel for students ages 6-18 and in the Region of Halton for students ages 6-23
• Create a safe space for Black students and their families' voices to be heard/li>
• Provide culturally-responsive support to help Black students and their families develop solutions to meet their needs
• Develop and offer wrap-around services to students identified to be at risk of not completing high school and those involved with child welfare and the justice system
• Provide leadership, advice, and support to schools on anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services

Contact our Client Service Navigator at 905-455-6789 ext. 125 or email intake@rootscs.org

The Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian and Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) promotes improved mental wellness for youth who identify as members of the Black, African and Caribbean communities

• Offers mental health and substance use services for Black youth aged 12-29 and their families and caregivers
• Connects Black youth in Peel and Halton regions with Black clinicians
• Clinical teams work from an Afrocentric, youth-focused, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and healing-centered lens

Services offered include:

• individual and group counselling and psychotherapy
• addictions and/or substance use supports
• mental health promotion
• comprehensive assessment and treatment planning
• trauma-informed and healing-centred interventions
• wraparound supports and referral services
• caregiver support groups
• intensive case management
• crisis intervention

Funded by the Ministry of Health through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Contact our BAC Support Line at 647-812-8545 or email sapaccy@rootscs.org.