For Youth Initiative (FYI) is a non-profit, charitable organization operated by youth, for youth. At FYI we aim to encourage civic engagement and increase access to educational, recreational, economical and cultural opportunities.

MISSION STATEMENT

For Youth Initiative is an organization that is committed to creating healthy communities by increasing life-chances of youth at-risk. We will do this through the provision of empowering programs and services that are youth-driven, inclusive and accessible.

VISION STATEMENT

For Youth Initiative aims to create healthy communities where youth are fully engaged and equal participants in society.

HISTORY OF FYI

Historically, For Youth Initiative started as a project in the former City of York to respond to the crucial and pressing issues of youth disengagement, violence, crime, poverty and alienation among at-risk youth in the area. One of the key factors contributing to youth disengagement has been the lack of youth-safe and youth-friendly space in the neighbourhood for recreation and other activities. For Youth Project was formed in 1995 having evolved out of the work of the York Community Agency Social Planning Council’s Multicultural Committee, which had been focusing on youth. This committee identified there was a great lack of services for youth in the City of York, particularly as it related ethno-cultural youth, and that many youth were not accessing the services that were available to them. A partnership of eight organizations, including four ethno-specific agencies, formed a Steering Committee to oversee the work of FYP.

Initially, the work focused on increasing access to social recreational opportunities for youth, but has since expanded to include increasing access to all youth services and mobilizing young people to act on issues of their concern. For Youth Initiative incorporated in the year 2000, at which time we expanded our mandate to include a satellite location in Etobicoke. In 2004, FYI acquired charitable status and in 2005 we became a United Way Member Agency.