Child, Youth, and Family Supports

At ACSA, we believe that every child and young person in Scarborough should have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

Unfortunately, many in our community face complex barriers that make these opportunities difficult to access. Many children and families live below the poverty line, while youth face marginalization due to issues like discrimination and social isolation. Countless families struggle to access basic resources. These barriers can have long-lasting impacts on the lives and futures of our community's children and youth.

ACSA strive’s to bridge these gaps. From unexpected financial hardships to the challenges of managing parenting responsibilities, we stand with families to help them navigate difficult situations. By working alongside families to identify their unique needs, we develop a personalized plan that addresses their specific circumstances. This can include providing referrals to community resources, offering emergency financial aid, or arranging counseling services. Our tailored approach enables us to offer the right support at the right time, preventing minor issues from becoming major crises.

Early Years (0-6 Years)

Our Early Years programming provides free, high-quality programs for children up to six years old and their parents or caregivers

We create a nurturing environment where children can play, learn, and grow, supporting their development across key areas including cognitive, emotional, and social domains. The support we offer to parents and caregivers — from skill-building workshops to emotional support networks — helps strengthen the family unit, a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of poverty.

We provide three main programs: Creative Play, EarlyON, and Parent & Caregiver Support Services​​

  • Creative Play: ACSA's Creative Play Programs provide a place for children aged 0-6 to socialize and focus on early literacy, math, and social skills, setting them up for a successful start to school​​.

  • EarlyON: ACSA's EarlyON centers offer free, high-quality programs for families and children from birth to 6 years old. You can learn and play with your child, meet other parents, and get advice from early childhood professionals​​.

  • Kindergarten Readiness and Readiness to Learn Summer Program: These programs are designed to prepare children for kindergarten. Through a range of activities, children develop pro-social interactions and engagement, crucial for their successful integration into the school system​

“I am a Canadian Citizen, a mom of two daughters and a house wife to my husband. I really enjoy being a mom and having all the responsibilities that come with being a parent. I also enjoy being a housewife. I started to come to the EarlyON programs because I wanted my first daughter to socialize with other children. I continue to come with my second daughter because it is a nice and creative environment. I want more places like this - it should be available everywhere so everyone can access it. I know everyone here and made lots of new friends”
— Z.A., Program Participant

8,359

Virtual visits for programs/workshops

11,075

In-person visits for programs/workshops

Over 50

Our in-person Kindergarten Readiness Program helped prepare over 50 children and parents for kindergarten through self-help skills, separation anxiety, and basic academics

Middle Years (6-12 Years)

Our Middle Years programming specifically targets an age-group that is often overlooked in child development work.

Our Middle Years programs are geared toward children 6-12 years of age, providing a safe, child-friendly environment that's engaging, culturally relevant, and inclusive.

The After School Program, available in over 12 TDSB and TCDSB schools across Scarborough, focuses on healthy eating and active living, leadership skills, team building, conflict resolution skills, culture, and arts and crafts​.

Restorative Practices is our program that aims to develop strong emotional and social skills in children and youth who are facing barriers. It is available during the after-school programs.

The Parenting and Family Literacy Centre plays a critical role in promoting early literacy and enhancing parents' ability to support their children's learning. The Centre provides an inviting space where parents and their children can engage in fun, educational activities together, fostering a love for learning and setting a solid foundation for future academic success. Our workshops equip parents with the knowledge and strategies to support their children's learning at home, empowering them to take an active role in their child's educational journey.

“I believe that ACSA’s work is very important and valuable because there are so many young people and families in this community need help and support to be able to make a better life and future.”
— Amina, Placement Student

1,800

Visits to our Children and Youth Summer Program over the past 6 months, with a total of 40 sessions

6,075

Visits to our Breakfast Program over the past 6 months, with a total of 135 sessions

256

Visits to our Youth Leadership Program over the past 6 months, with a total of 20 sessions

Youth Programs (12+ Years)

“This mentorship program has helped me stay on track with my school goal, make clear progress and create a plan for the rest of the school year. My mentor made me feel comfortable and we established a good bond throughout our meetings. I also found the mentorship program helpful with allowing me to ask any questions that were on my mind and get a good answer I could understand. I have been really satisfied with this mentorship program.”
— Youth Participant

Our Youth programming provides hope for a better life, stability, and intervention.

By offering resources and programming aimed at enhancing social, educational and vocational skills, we aim to counter the negative impacts of social isolation and marginalization. In this vibrant hub, young people can participate in skill-building workshops, access homework help, and receive much-needed mental health resources. Our inclusive approach fosters a sense of belonging, improves self-confidence, and equips our youth to make positive life choices.

We provide four main programs to this age group:

  • Provincial Youth Outreach Workers (YOW) Program: A multi-agency outreach initiative for marginalized youth in underserved neighborhoods. Youth Outreach Workers engage youth ages 12-21 years old through meaningful connections to services and support systems within their communities

  • R.A.C.K.S.: This program provides free 1-on-1 support to any youth (age 12-24) facing, or at risk of facing school issues, legal troubles, housing concerns, challenges with addictions, or mental health, etc.

  • The Child and Youth Counselling program provides a lifeline for young people grappling with emotional and mental health issues. Our team of experienced counselors provides one-on-one therapeutic support, helping children and youth build resilience, cope with their feelings, and work through challenging situations. By providing early intervention in a safe and supportive environment, we can help prevent these challenges from escalating into more serious mental health issues, supporting our young people's wellbeing today and in the future.

  • Mental Health Resources: ACSA received a grant from the City of Toronto to support frontline youth workers to better meet the mental health needs of youth and their families​

96%

of youth say they are better able to recognize when they need help with their mental well-being than before they started the program

100%

of youth say they are more confident communicating and advocating for their needs to others, including asking for help and/or accessing supports, tools or services, than before they started the program

970 youth

Total number of youth attending programs and events at our Chester Le location. We also did outreach to 331 youth and 52 families on top of this!

Parental Support

All of our programs are designed with a holistic mindset, but sometimes parents need help specific to their experience.

For parents, we provide:

One-on-one sessions: Free 30-minute Family Support Session with a Parent Support Resource worker to discuss parenting, child development, or mental health

Teen Mothers Program: A free support program in Scarborough for mothers 14 to 22 years of age. The program offers opportunities to build positive parenting skills and gain access to resources that support mothers on their parenting journey