YPI Padlet by Annabel Poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv Made with wonder en-us 2018-11-22 14:44:24 UTC 2023-10-07 01:41:17 UTC hello@padlet.com annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309768379 Mission Statement:
Youth Assisting Youth (YAY) is a voluntary community-based mentoring organization committed to promoting the healthy growth and development of young people, strengthening families and responding to and supporting changing community needs.
Motto: 
Make a friend. Change a life. 
]]> 2018-11-30 14:10:04 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309768379 What They Do annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309770645 The Peer Project, formerly known as Youth Assisting Youth is focused on keeping the youth out of the criminal justice system. However, they also help immigrants and at-risk children to strive in school and life. These children are paired with mentors through an elaborate match-making system. This system considers many factors such as; interest, background, gender, location, character, special needs, common goals and much more. Mentors provide their mentees with academic assistance while helping them develop life skills such as leadership, communication and self-confidence.]]> 2018-11-30 14:13:43 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309770645 Services and Programs annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309777181 The Peer Project provide a number of programs for different people, providing each of them with a fun, learning experience. 
‘Peer-To-Peer Mentoring’
Ages 16-29 mentor ages 6-15 about school and life in Canada. 
‘Clicks and Stones’
An educator (often a mother of a child who has been cyber bullied) mentors a class of grade 7-8s about cyber bullying  and how to fight it.
‘Mental-Health Training’
Training mentors on mental health and helping mentors help mentees to develop healthy lifestyles. 
‘Girls-Only Group Mentoring’
Female newcomers (immigrants) are mentored over a period of 10 weeks about girls and women empowerment. This program is tailored to each mentee's individual needs. The program teaches lessons like emotional well-being and self-defense. 
‘Saddle-Up For Success’
This program is focused on newcomers and at-risk kids. These kids travel out of the city and learn how to ride and take care of horses.
‘Learning Disabilities Training’
Training mentors to understand different disabilities. This helps mentors understand how different people learn differently and some may have more difficulties than others. This program ensures that these at-risk kids are getting the best mentoring they can receive. 
‘Tri-Mentoring Program’
The Peer Project matches up youth with older mentors so they can learn from those who have had more experience in the work force. This can help develop the mentee's professional goals through networking and guidance.


A board with pictures of mentors and mentees together 
]]> 2018-11-30 14:25:22 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309777181 Events annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309778760 Peer Project holds several events each year for fundraising and mentor-mentee bonding. 
  • Weekly Events
    • The Peer Project sponsors free weekly events 
    • Kids and their mentors can participate to play sports and other educational activities to bond 
  • Special Events 
    • Special events are held throughout the year 
    • Ex. Winter Carnival, Annual Family Picnic and 3-day Summer Camp
  • Fundraising 
    • Several events held throughout the year focused on activities with the youth 
    • Ex. Kids in the Kitchen, Bowling Fun and Paint Night 


]]> 2018-11-30 14:28:16 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309778760 Volunteer and Paid Staff annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309780172
  • Volunteers apply to be mentors 
    • Ages 16-29
      1. Mentors fill out an application on their website. One of their recruiters will review it and if they decide that you are a good fit, they will schedule a telephone screening.
      2. A social worker will go to the mentor's home and perform an assessment and interview. This is because they need to make sure they are responsible
      3. A police background check will take place to see if the volunteer has been in trouble with the law or with minors (in such case they are ineligible for the program)
      4. Two mandatory training sessions; mentoring 101 which is 4-5 hours (discusses what mentoring is, child abuse information needed, communication skills, child management, anti-racism, anti-harassment, culture and diversity, inclusiveness) and youth mental health & learning disabilities 4 hours (diff. types of challenges, mental health issues, learning disabilities)
      5. Matching process: very strict, matched based on gender (ONLY same gender matches to preserve interest and consistence), location, special needs, interests, and background
  • Staff
    • Under 25 people on the team 
    • 2 social workers that supervise mentor-mentee relationships, and providing support to the mentee's family 
    • 2 event planners that plan multiple events each month for mentors to take their mentees 
    • Director of Finance makes almost 100% of all pitches to the government or other organizations for grants, donations and ultimately, a source of funding for the charity 
    • The organization has a board of directors that consist of ex-mentors and current mentors. 
      • They watch over the organization and advise major decisions. 

    • ]]>     2018-11-30 14:30:28 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309780172     Quality of Programs annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309780495 According to a study done by The Peer Project, Resiliency Initiatives and Ontario Center of Excellence: 
    • Mentees in the peer project commitment to learning and school culture increased by 50% on average after establishing a relationship and keeping that relationship for a year 
    • Most parents, when asked, said that the 1:1 mentoring had a positive impact on their child 
    • Parents observed significant increase in the child’s school and social performance 
    • Conflicting schedules and difficulties with communication between mentor and mentee were a problem
    • Peer relationships seemed to have decreased within the mentees because the mentors already provide such strong support, the mentee does not feel the need to have peer relationships
    • According to Peer Project; they have a success rate of 98%
      • Peer project increases the chances of someone going to university from 22% to 40% (Carlson)
    http://www.excellenceforchildandyouth.ca/sites/default/files/gai_attach/EDG-     1596_Final_Outcomes_Report.pdf


    ]]>     2018-11-30 14:31:04 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/309780495     History annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310741512 1976
    Youth Assisting Youth was started due to an influx of juvenile crime. This was because of a sudden increase in immigrants that were vulnerable and easily influenced to join gangs. Juvenile delinquent facilities were over their capacity so programs were needed to treat those who could not be institutionalized. A group of parents, police and social workers in Scarborough came together and created Youth Assisting Youth - a program to help juvenile deviants.

    1992
    The organization then expanded as it got more recognized. YAY's audience had also expanded as they started to help youth with mental health issues, learning disabilities and newcomers. There was a huge shift in focus from crime prevention to all youth issues.

    2010
    Youth Assisting Youth adopted a new name "The Peer Project" after 40 years of operation in hopes to attract new volunteers due to the 400 kids waiting for a mentor.

    2018
    Unfortunately, the re-branding proved to be ineffective and actually caused confusion to those who have worked with The Peer Project in the past. Because of this, they will be changing their name back to Youth Assisting Youth. 


    A wall with old posters and newspaper features in the past]]>     2018-12-04 04:34:10 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310741512     Who Benefits From This Program? annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310742966 Mentees 
    • This program benefits mentees by providing them with guidance for life and school. 
    • Mentors can also provide mentees a shoulder to lean on in times of need 
    • This program can ultimately save lives and let mentees know that they are needed in the world 
    • Can participate in community events that are free to go to 

    Mentors
    • Mentors can feel a sense of accomplishment when seeing their mentee strive in life 
    • Mentees provides mentors with friendship
    • Mentors can gain skills that are transferable to jobs
    • Events are free for volunteers  
    Parents
    • Provides parents with another positive role model for their child(ren)
    • Social workers are available to aid families with any problems (adjusting to a new country, employment issues, etc.)

    ]]>     2018-12-04 04:47:59 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310742966     Awards/Achievement annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310744231
  • 2015 Volunteer Toronto Legacy Award
  • 2014 Bhayana Family Foundation Award - Dedication, Mona Dogen
  • 2013 Toronto Foundation - Vital Youth Award - Youth Mentoring Program
  • 2012 Harlequin "More than Words" Award - Sally Spencer
  • 2010 Toronto Foundation - Vital Youth Award - Girls Only Program
  • 2010 State Farm Good Neighbour Award
  • 2010 Bhayana Family Foundation Award - Team Achievement
  • 2006 Dubai International Award for Best Practises
  • 2004 Mayor's Community Safety Award
  • 2003 Ministry of Citizenship Outstanding Achievement Award
  • 2001 Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award
  • 2000 Diana Princess of Wales Foundation Award
  • 1994 City of Toronto Safe City Award
    • ]]>     2018-12-04 05:00:29 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310744231     Contact Information annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310744847 Location
    5734 Younge St. #401 Toronto, Ontario M2M 4E7
    Email: 
    • mail@yay.org
    Phone
    • 4169321919
    • 18779321919
    Social Media
    • Facebook: facebook.com/thepeerproject
    • Twitter: @peerproject
    • Instagram: @thepeerproject
    ]]>     2018-12-04 05:06:35 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310744847     Finance annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310745143 Funding
    Most of their revenue that are not donations come from government grants. All of their equipment and supplies are charitable donations from their sponsors and other organizations
    *End of March 2017, their revenue amounted to $1,244,857
    • Receipted donations $271,025 (22%)
    • Non-receipted donations $285,543 (23%)
    • Gifts from other charities $193,622 (16%)
    • Government funding $494,073 (40%)

    Spending:
    Most of their revenue goes to events that are catered for the mentor and mentee.  Most events are free to attend, due to the fact that most mentors do not have the money to spend - because of this, it is very hard to raise money for the charity
    *End of March 2017, they had a total of $1,248,748 to spend  
    • Charitable program $998,996 (80%)
    • Management and administration $51,363 (4%)
    • Fundraising $12,444 (1%)
    • Other $185,945 (15%)


    The mural in their office with all their sponsors (the stars)
    ]]>     2018-12-04 05:09:39 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310745143     Fundraising annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310748555 Several events are held during the year (often more than 4 per month). Although some are free to attend, there are a few that require an entrance fee. These events held also promote participants to donate to the organization. However, their main focus is to look for new opportunities for new sources of funding (such as more government grants)]]> 2018-12-04 05:27:53 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/310748555 Work Cited annabel_poon https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/311423556 “The Peer Project - Youth Assisting Youth.” Katie Couric - You Can Watch #GenderRevolution Right Here,..., www.facebook.com/thepeerproject.

    “Youth Assisting Youth | Youth Mentor Programs.” The Peer Project, thepeerproject.com/.

    “YOUTH ASSISTING YOUTH - Quick View.” REGISTERED Charity's Return - Quick View, 23 Oct. 2017, apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/t3010form22quickview-eng.action?&fpe=2017-03-31&b=119307478RR0001

    “Youth Assisting Youth through The Peer Project in Toronto.” Toronto Guardian, 11 Mar. 2017, torontoguardian.com/2017/03/the-peer-project/.]]>     2018-12-05 15:55:03 UTC https://padlet.com/annabel_poon/fh1b4lr402yv/wish/311423556