Interested in running your own business? Youth for Entrepreneurship (Y4E) helps youth 15 to 24 years old discover practical ways to start their business journey, learn about business foundations through workshops and hear real-life stories from young business leaders!
The Y offers a variety of youth and young adult support programs and leadership opportunities that help this demographic develop life skills, education enrichment, health and wellness, recreation and international awareness.
Our Programs
Skatepark Mentorship
YMCA Skatepark Mentors help strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility by providing a safe space for youth to enjoy Glendale Skatepark in Red Deer.
Y Mind
Everyone experiences worries and stress. Y Mind is here to help youth and young adults between 13–30 years of age throughout Alberta learn how to cope with stress so they can live their best lives.
YMCA Alternative Suspension
Designed as an out-of-school intervention, YMCA Alternative Suspension establishes bonds of trust and creates a support network of groups of students that assists in addressing suspension and/or temporary expulsion issues while supporting a consistent and strong academic focus in Edmonton and Grande Prairie.
YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN)
YMCA Community Action Network is an innovative national program that engages youth between 15-30 years of age across Canada to address community needs through service projects. Program participants have the opportunity to identify and execute a local service project that is meaningful to them.
YMCA Leaders in Training (LIT)
Leaders in Training, also known as LIT, is a leadership program for youth in grades 7 to 12. In this ten-month program for youth, participants have fun, take part in team-building activities and participate in rewarding volunteer opportunities that teach leadership skills and benefit the local community.
Registration
This program runs during the school year with breaks during the holidays in the Edmonton Region at our Castle Downs Family YMCA, Jamie Platz Family YMCA and the William Lutsky Family YMCA.
Applications for the 2023–2024 program year are open! Once registered, a program staff member will connect with the applicant using your account contact information. Please note all interested youth must submit an application before their registration is finalized for this program.
The cost of this program is $100 per member.
Questions?
For more information, contact our Y Experience team at contactcentre@northernalberta.ymca.ca or visit a YMCA Health and Wellness Centre.
YMCA Mentors in Training (MIT)
The YMCA Mentors in Training program is an opportunity for youth to learn leadership skills, get volunteer experience and make new friends. Youth ages 12–18 will work with YMCA Senior Mentors and other youth in one-on-one and group settings to expand their professional and life skills.
Mentors in Training will help Senior Mentors run YMCA programs such as drop-in youth centre, skatepark program, teen nights, basketball, soccer, kitchen, art and science activities for members of their community. Being a Mentor in Training will give you:
- A way to learn important professional and leadership skills
- Connections with other youth and members of your community
- 100 hours of volunteer experience
- Flexible hours
- Further opportunities to get involved in the YMCA upon completion
Start your application and become a YMCA Mentor in Training today!
YMCA Youth Cannabis Awareness Program (YCAP)
Youth Cannabis Awareness Program (YCAP) offers free programming to youth and adults involved in the lives of youth. This program aims to minimize risks associated with cannabis use by providing Canadians with the most accurate and unbiased information.
YMCA YOUTurn
YMCA YOU-Turn is a 3-year pilot project led by YMCA of Northern Alberta (YNAB), in collaboration with Edmonton Police Service’s Community and Youth Response Branch and Edmonton Young Offender Centre, to provide support to high-risk justice involved youth across central and northern Alberta.
Through YOU-Turn, youth will be connected to resources such as employment services, mental health support, schooling, addiction treatments, housing, family support services, etc. YMCA YOU-Turn will expand cultural support for Black and Indigenous youth by the recruitment of Youth Support Workers with experience supporting BIPOC youth as well as by partnering with Black and Indigenous community-based organizations.
Referrals
YMCA YOUTurn receives its referrals primarily via the youth justice system. To learn more about this process, please contact the program supervisor at 780-224-2417.
YMCA Youth Diversion
YMCA Youth Diversion supports youth 12 years of age and older who are involved in low-level criminal activity by guiding youth through the restorative justice process in order to identify how their behaviour impacts others and help them see their future with a positive outlook.
The Y partners with Edmonton Police Service’s (EPS) DIVERSIONfirst program, Homeward Trust Edmonton and Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sister's of Edmonton & Area to intervene at a critical juncture of a youth’s life, build meaningful relationships with the youth and their family, and helps youth seek accountability for their actions and positively move forward.
Referrals
Our program receives referrals from Edmonton Police Service’s DIVERSIONfirst program. To learn more about this process, please contact the program supervisor at 780-224-2417.
YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada (YEC)
YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada (YEC) program provides youth aged 12 to 17 with the opportunity to explore Canada while learning leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, all while developing a strong sense of community.
Youth for Entrepreneurship
Youth Transitions Program (YTP)
Youth Transitions Program offers youth a safe, supportive, non-judgmental community to learn about available community services, meet new friends, participate in fun activities and find housing and job support.
Kickstand Edmonton
At Kickstand Edmonton, operated by YMCA of Northern Alberta, youth ages 11-25 can find FREE mental health support, Indigenous wellness services, peer support, life skills training and primary health care from nurse practitioners and doctors. We've assembled more than 20 service providers under one roof! Services are free, you don't need a referral and we won't turn you away.
Youth For Entrepreneurship (Y4E)
Interested in running your own business? Youth for Entrepreneurship (Y4E) helps youth between 15 to 24 years discover practical ways to start their business journey, learn about business foundations through workshops and hear real-life stories from young business leaders!