On Thursday, August 17, 60 youth, aged 13-16 from the Regent Park and Malvern areas celebrated a summer of involvement in their community, building leadership skills, and learning to become better citizens.

These youth were part of Serve!’s Serve Up The Summer program. Over the course of six weeks, youth participated in volunteer activities in the community while working on personal skills development and team building in a fun, interactive setting. The Serve Up The Summer program provided youth an opportunity to learn, grow and discover their self-worth as they realize that others need and value them. 

“This past year has seen an increase in youth violence and, in particular, gun violence in the City of Toronto,” explains Melanie Stewart, Executive Director of Serve!. “There have also been alarming statistics on the decrease in youth employment and the increase in high-school drop out rates.”

“To change this trend, programs like Serve up The Summer offers an alternative,” she further explains. “What we offer youth who are marginalized and ‘at risk’ is the opportunity to build confidence, leadership skills, and experience through community engagement.”

Throughout July and August, participants in Serve Up The Summer took part in volunteer opportunities with seniors and children, as well as working outdoors. They participated in educational workshops where they learned about diversity, bullying and conflict management skills.

The Serve Up The Summer program has been in Regent Park since 2001. This is the first year it has been offered in Malvern. Says Stewart, “Malvern has the highest population of children and youth in the City of Toronto, and consequently the highest needs.” Serve! became involved in Malvern through consultation with community agencies and parents who indicated their desire to see Serve! roll out its work within their community, and viewed Serve!’s potential involvement as fulfilling vital needs that are currently not met in terms of programming for vulnerable youth.

On August 17 at the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto, participants in Serve Up The Summer formally “graduated” from the program in a ceremony celebrating their achievements. Also celebrating that evening will be a group of youth aged 17-24 who participated in the full-time program.