Recess Play is an educational lunch-time program that empowers students in grades 4 -6 as leaders to bring play based activities to their own school yard playgrounds. Accompanied by local volunteers, our objective is for students to foster a safe and inclusive play space within their own playgrounds and ultimately promote greater and community belonging.

Child Development through Recess Play:

 Leadership Skills:  Children develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be an effective leader and the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate sport and play activities.

 Life Skills: Each activity promotes skills and values through sport including teamwork, communication, cooperation with others, fair play, conflict resolution, inclusion, community cohesion and self-esteem.

Community Involvement: Through Recess Play, children and local volunteers become more active participants within their communities bridging the gap between the home and the community. This provides an opportunity for everyone to build new friendships and strengthen existing ones with their peers in a safe and inclusive environment.

Goals for Recess Play:

•         Developing strong and effective student leaders.
•         Provide an inclusive and safe environment free of physical and emotional violence.
•         Provide an opportunity for children to engage in recreational programming not otherwise available.
•         Promote life skills in participants.
•         Increased sense of belonging.

Leaders In Action is an after school program implemented  in high-needs communities that empowers high school students by helping them to bringing educational and play based activities to elementary schools within their own communities. Each activity is followed by a student- lead open-ended discussion period that reflects, connects and applies lessons learned from the activities to their everyday lives.

Benefits of Leaders In Action:

           High School Students: Students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to be an effective leader and the ability to plan, implement and evaluate sport and play activities for elementary school students.

           Elementary School Students: Each activity increases their sense of belonging, community involvement, and it teaches peace, confidence, inclusion, a healthy lifestyle and safe play.

Goals:

•         Providing a positive venue for older youth to positively interact and mentor younger youth in their community.
•         Develop strong and effective student leaders by encouraging and teaching positive life skills
•         Create a safe and inclusive environment for children to play and learn
•         Encourage leaders, students and schools to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle 

Academic Mentors/Tutoring is an educational program which takes place before, during or after school where student leaders assist inner city elementary school students to better enhance their academic skills. Past programs have included reading buddies, robotics, media literacy and film making, summer school and art activities.

Youth To Youth believes that all of our student’s hard work and dedication is something to be celebrated. Many of our partnered schools arrange a field trip to expand their experiences together and to celebrate the friendships made throughout the year.