Our Programs
Every week, Trust 15 opens its doors to 120 youth in the community through our multiple after school drop-in programs. We provide a safe, nurturing space for these young people to discuss and find solutions for real life issues surrounding self-esteem, conflict-resolution, abuse, violence, peer pressure, and family life.
We connect youth with mentors, professionals, and community leaders who network with the group members, teaching them crucial tips for success and inspiring them to believe in themselves, their talents, and their futures. Trust 15 participants play an active role in developing our weekly programs. We also have new youth programs from Trust 15, geared to support the development of young people in our community. This after-school program provides fun and educational activities, and also encourages healthy living through nutrition education and physical activity.
Our program works with community mentors, who volunteer their time to read to the youth and share their personal life experience. This program offers a safe, supportive environment for youth to express themselves and develop essential life skills. There is a focus on literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) development through Robotics.
The program is held twice a week for two hours each session.
Program Successes
93%
Within the last 5 years, 93% of the youth enrolled in our Ladies on the Rise program have enrolled in post-secondary education.
*Most attend York University, Western University & University of Ottawa
97%
Within the last 5 years, 95% of youth enrolled in the Men of Distinction program have enrolled in post-secondary education.
* Most attend York University, McMaster University & Humber College
Our Programs - In Depth
Men of Distinction
Is a motivational program for young men between the ages of 13-19. This program was designed to provide young men with the tools and opportunities to succeed in life. This program is structured to offer young men the chance to work in their life
skills, team-building skills, and leadership skills. Through the help of solid volunteers and role models, the men are provided the chance to explore various topics through group discussion while also sharing their knowledge. By introducing the youth to events and places closed to them in the past, Trust 15 allows them to participate in life-changing experiences.
Ladies on the Rise
Is a motivational and mentorship program for young women between 13-19. This program is designed to allow participants to learn how to increase their self-esteem and inspire and empower them through mentorship opportunities, group discussions, tutoring, life skills training, and team building through various leadership activities.The program is structured to expose young women to positive role models from the community who can mentor them as they become successful young women who make positive life contributions. By introducing the youth to events and places closed to them in the past, Trust 15 allows them to participate in life-changing experiences. The young women meet once weekly after school.
Boys of Excellence
This program is geared to support the development of young boys in the Rexdale-Kipling community. This after-school program provides a fun and educational activities and also encourages healthy living through nutrition, education and physical activity. Our program works with community mentors, who volunteer their time to mentor the youth and share their personal life experiences. This program offers a safe, supportive environment for youth to express themselves and develop essential life skills.
Girls on the Rise
Is a literacy program targeting young girls aged 8-13. This after-school program was established because research showed a drop in literacy rates amongst youth, especially our black youth, in the Rexdale area. This program focuses on literacy
through the use of The American Girl Dolls. Trust 15 has six different dolls, each unique culture and story. For six weeks, the young girls have the opportunity to read through one of the dolls stories, along with completing worksheets that focus on literacy and comprehension. This interactive method, along with the bond the young girls create with each story, helps inspire the students to learn in a creative and fun environment. Our mission for this program is to reach out to the young girls in our community and encourage them to develop a passion and love for reading.
Our Demographics
●Percentage of Youth with Immigrant Parents: 96%
●Over 25% of our participants live in Toronto Community Housing
●63% of our participants identify as Black