Free Recreational Programs

Offers a variety of FREE programs, workshops and special events throughout Toronto to children who are in a caregiving role for family members with disabilities or illnesses. YCP provides social, recreational, educational, and skill development opportunities for Young Carers by connecting them with peers, building resilience and self-esteem, and giving them time to have fun.

SKETCH is a community arts enterprise engaging diverse young people ages 16-29 from across Canada who live homeless or on the margins to experience the transformative power of the arts, build leadership and self-sufficiency in the arts, and cultivate social and environmental change through the art.

Mural Routes holds a “Big Picture” mural making workshops. Youth age 14 and over can attend the 8-week workshop which “provides basis, context and information needed to improve communities through mural arts. Participants of this free program will gain the opportunity to develop and pursue their interest in art, explore the basis of art techniques and build upon abilities, portfolios and careers in the realm of public art”. Workshops focus on drawing and painting techniques, colour theory, composition and Creating Depths and Stencils.

PACT has a number of programs for youth including Pact Fashion (puts on a fashion show), PACT Film (instruction in many facets of film production) and PACT Haunted Theatre Project (in support of the Powerhouse of Terror – a professional haunt attraction in Toronto and includes three separate program areas: Set/Prop Design and Build Special FX, Make-up and Costume Design Acting, Character Development and On-site Support).

A charity offering opportunities for personal growth, community involvement and leadership. They offer numerous free programs for youth such as help with finding employment, various training’s camps, help with substance abuse issues and educational workshops

Serves youth who are trying to enter into the creative industries or further their formal education; The REMIX Project provides top-notch alternative, creative, educational programs, facilitators and facilities.

Drop-in is a comfortable rec room/Arcade environment with a pool table, lounge area, foose ball table, computer lab, and kitchen for youth aged 12-21. It’s always happening at the Youth Arcade Drop-in. Relax after school in the comfy lounge, play pool or foosball, hop on a computer, munch some tasty snacks, join a workshop and chat with friends.

Nia Centre for the Arts is a Toronto-based not-for-profit organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts from across the African Diaspora. Nia Centre creates opportunities for young people to develop healthy identities and for communities to enhance their creative capacities.

Youth spaces are open for youth to drop in and access on-site resources Monday through Friday. Resources include a computer lab, free on-site tutoring, a recording studio, an arts and crafts room, and a quiet space for homework.

There are two types of youth spaces available across the city: regular and enhanced. Regular Youth Spaces have youth-centric programming during the week at different times. They might not be available every day of the week, so make sure to check ahead. Enhanced Youth Spaces (EYS) are supervised spaces that are open to youth five to six (5-6) days a week. These spaces have stuff like WiFi, TV, gaming consoles, foosball tables, pool tables, computers, recording studios, photography labs, and study spaces. Free programs include photography, barbering and hairstyling, yoga, nail art, DJing and music recording.

YSM Evergreen is an inclusive, comprehensive centre for street-involved youth in our city. Our wide range of services and programs are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of youth aged 16 to 24.

The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC) and Boxing Club was founded in 1972 at 2 Lancaster Avenue. The CYC was converted into a community centre to provide youth with positive alternatives through sport and recreation while encouraging ongoing education. CYC expanded over the years to provide a similar range of recreational, social, and skill development programs.

The Zone Youth Space offers free programming 6 days a week, that includes after-school youth drop in, employment and leadership workshops, homework help, multimedia programming, and more. The space is equipped with video games, board games, a pool table, foosball, computers, and free WiFi.