RESOURCES



Employment:



Employment has traditionally been the most requested service by youth on arrival to PARC. For this reason PARC offers programs which support youth in their search for employment at whatever stage of development and skill level which includes:

- PARC youth leading younger youth in employment skill building programs.
- In partnership with Woodgreen Youth Employment Centre, PARC youth were able to access the Summer Job Service, (SJS) program through PARC.
- Organized a group of youth to paint murals throughout Toronto in low income neighbourhoods.
- PARC staff established and chaired a committee of 12 Youth Employment Counseling Centres (YECC’s) designed to increase access to employment services for youth in care. PARC staff led the Committee in facilitating two workshops for CAST, CCAS, and JF-CS staff linking them to youth employment services in Toronto.

- A part time, after school, job training initiative serves PARC youth.
- The Creative Youth Enterprises project involved a group of PARC youth in gaining self confidence through the creation of a greeting card small business initiative.


Education:



PARC has offered and continues to offer opportunities for youth to receive educational support including tutoring, computer training, and computer support programs. Many tutors are former youth-in-care, whose sole purpose of volunteering at PARC is to give back to the community. There are a variety of subjects being tutored. The most requested subjects are Computers, English, Math, and Sciences.

- over 50 youth connected to PARC attended post secondary institutions.
- 17 youth from PARC attended PARC’s Ambassador School in order to re-enter the secondary school system. PARC led the school with support from the City of Toronto, Drug Abuse Prevention Program and the Toronto Board of Education in establishing a new stable classroom in downtown Toronto.
- 6 volunteers tutored youth at PARC.
- In partnership with the Gateway Cafe Employment service PARC youth were able to access Psychological Educational Assessments.
- 3 volunteers developed an evening computer training and computer support program held weekly in the PARC computer room.
- the Transitional Year Program, (TYP) at the University of Toronto held a special information meeting encouraging youth at PARC to consider post secondary studies.
- meetings were held during 2002 for all youth connected to PARC who were studying at the post secondary level, to meet with each other to gain support and share concerns.
- 3 PARC youth were hired to develop a peer tutor program for youth in care.


Housing



Youth who have been involved with PARC may be eligible for independent shared housing geared to their income. PARC offers shared co-ed living in four houses in Toronto, two in the east end and two in the west end. The houses are owned by the city and managed by PARC and are under the Residential Tenancies Act. Youth living in our housing must sign a lease agreement, live cooperatively with the other tenants and take care of the house. PARC also has agreements with several supportive housing providers who offer single dwelling units to PARC. Youth must be involved with PARC to be eligible. The housing provider assumes the management and PARC offers supports to the youth.


Voice & Community:



Youth at PARC are encouraged to take control and ownership of their lives. This involves learning to reflect upon decisions and learning to take action. It may involve learning to appropriately speak for oneself and at times may involve what youth at PARC term ‘ speaking out ‘. This activity is supported through the creation of a safe, stable community with the Centre as a hub. Youth have participated in events such as:

- 20 PARC youth spoke at 12 meetings orienting volunteers of the CAST.
- 11 PARC youth led groups for 50 PARC youth exploring self expression through art, teaching video production, teaching web site design, encouraging healthy recreational activities, teaching safe sex and healthy relationships, teaching small business development.
- Over 200 PARC youth participated in a number of community events including; Black History Month Celebration, Gay Pride Day Celebration, Passover Dinner, and Christmas Party.
- PARC youth organized a conference for 70 Toronto area youth in care focusing on personal development, and healthy sexuality
- PARC youth spoke to students at George Brown College, Ryerson University, the Sparrow Lake Alliance, Foster Parent Associations, the Child and Family Advocate of Ontario


LGBTQ



PARC welcomes people of all genders and orientations. Since PARC started, it has always had an open door policy to welcoming all people. PARC works towards a safe environment for all members of the LGBTQ community and fosters scholarship in issues relating to LGBTQ life and issues.

If you have questions, and would like help, you can contact PARC or your worker to make an arrangement to use our resources.