Program Objective
YouthLink’s Pathways to Education is a community-based program designed to reduce poverty and its effects by lowering the dropout rate among high school students from economically-disadvantaged communities. The program offers academic, social, advocacy and financial support to youth as a means of increasing their success in completing high school and successfully transitioning out of high school to their next step.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Contribute greatly to students adjusting to (and through) high school in a healthy way, succeeding academically and growing socially.
- Assist in the growth of communities by ensuring the success of youth and gaining awareness of community issues.
- Opportunity to gain experience in how to interact with youth.
- Become a positive role model in young people’s lives.
- Excellent volunteer experience for your resumé (tutors may receive a written reference if requested).
Program Rules and Boundaries
- Maintain student confidentiality.
- Adhere to YouthLink’s Code of Ethics and all relevant policies and procedures.
- Do not transport students.
- Do not share your personal contact information with students.
- Enforce expectations and guidelines in a positive manner and refer behavioural concerns directly to staff on-site or contact the Volunteer Engagement Manager.
General Eligibility Qualifications for Volunteer Mentors and Tutors
- A police background check required
- Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 is required.
- Maintain a positive and upbeat demeanor with all youth and understand the challenges to high school success the youth face.
- Previous experience and/or an interest in working with youth.
- Able to work effectively within a team environment and confidently lead small groups of youth.
- Successfully complete an orientation session on the Pathways to Education Program and any ongoing training as necessary.
Program Duration
- Full commitment during the 9-month school year (late Sept – mid May) is preferred.
Become a Mentor
Additional Eligibility Qualifications for Mentors
- Have some transferable recreational, creative, artistic and cultural skills/interests.
- Knowledge of youth issues and the challenges in the Scarborough priority areas is an asset.
- Be inclusive, culturally sensitive and competent, non-judgmental and open-minded.
- Demonstrate compassion and understanding towards youth
- Second language an asset, e.g., Tamil, Urdu, Farsi, French.
- Mentors must be able to commit to a minimum of 2 hours per week Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Full commitment during the school year (late Sept – mid May) is preferred.
- All volunteer mentors will report to the Manager, Volunteer Engagement & Programming
Group Mentor Duties
- Provide social support to students in grades 9 and 10 to enhance positive group culture, create a virtual learning environment, and offer opportunities to build social skills.
- Actively engage in positive role modeling for youth during program time activities.
- Participate consistently in group mentoring sessions to assist students to gain social skills, new competencies and personal growth.
- Assist staff with mentoring topics, program design, and co-facilitate activities with other mentors.
- Take part in the pre-programing and debriefing discussions.
- Participate in ongoing training (as needed), on youth development, how to engage youth and how to develop group mentoring activities.
Become a Volunteer Tutor
Additional Eligibility Qualifications for Volunteer Tutors
- Understand the challenges to high school success the participants face.
- Participate consistently in virtual tutoring sessions and work both one-on-one and in small groups assisting students with academic tasks/homework.
- Can support students to develop study strategies, organizational and time management skills, while actively engaging and encouraging students.
- Availability a minimum 2 hours every week during the school year.
- Previous experience and/or an interest in working with high school students working towards graduation.
- You are enrolled in a post-secondary school, and/or are a professional, with expertise in one of the following core subjects: English, French, math, social sciences, science.
- Ability to work effectively within a team environment and confidently lead small groups of youth within a virtual environment.
- Knowledge of youth issues and the challenges in the Scarborough priority areas is an asset.
- Be culturally sensitive and competent, non-judgmental and open-minded.
- Demonstrate compassion and understanding towards youth.
- Second language an asset, e.g., Tamil, Urdu, Farsi, French
Application Process
To apply or for more information about becoming a volunteer mentor or tutor, please email your resumé to pathways@youthlink.ca or call 647-351-0091 ext. 221.
Learn more about YouthLink’s Scarborough Village Pathways to Education program