YAAACE

YAAACE The Youth Association for Academics Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E) is a community organization that seeks to engage our youth.

Founded in 2007, the Youth Association for Academics Athletics and Character Education (Y.A.A.A.C.E) is a community organization that seeks to engage children and youth from all communities – particularly those from poor racialized communities – in year round comprehensive programming and activities such as the following: academics, athletics, recreation, technology and the arts.

One day after Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce , announced plans to expand Bruce Power — making it...
05/13/2026

One day after Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce , announced plans to expand Bruce Power — making it the largest nuclear facility in the world — with 4 additional reactors and 18,000 new careers, YAAACE brought 100 students from across the GTA to Bruce Power for a firsthand look at the future of the industry.

Through our collaborative Labour Market Strategy with the Province of Ontario, YAAACE is committed to funneling 25,000 students into the nuclear energy sector between 2026 and 2036.

Worksite visits like this are a critical part of our “Hire Learning” framework, helping students move beyond the classroom and into real-world exposure, career pathways, and emerging industries shaping the future of Canada.

🚨 MARCH BREAK CAMP IS ALMOST FULL! 🚨Got plans for March Break? Because YAAACE Camp is about to be a MOVIE 🎬 and we’ve go...
03/14/2026

🚨 MARCH BREAK CAMP IS ALMOST FULL! 🚨

Got plans for March Break? Because YAAACE Camp is about to be a MOVIE 🎬 and we’ve got a few final spots left!

Date: March 16 – 20
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

All week we’re bringing:
Athletics, Music, Fun, and Empowerment on becoming Leaders in Communities Built By Us.
And the best part? Our classes are led by Ontario Certified Teachers, so kids learn cool stuff and have a blast doing it.

FREE for students in TDSB Ward 4 & TCDSB Ward 3 schools
(Check the approved school list!)

Need extra time? We’ve got you.
Before & After Care: 8 AM – 5 PM
$100 for the week

Grab your friends, bring your energy, and get ready for an awesome week of camp!

🔥 Don’t be the kid or parent hearing about it later… be the one who was there. Sign up before the last spots disappear!

01/01/2026

🎉Welcoming the New Year with Our Community🎊
From the YAAACE Family

As we step into the new year, we reflect with gratitude and move forward with hope. Thank you to our community for your strength, resilience, and commitment to one another. Together, we continue building a future rooted in unity, opportunity, and care.

We also hold space for those entering this year with grief — remembering loved ones lost to violence or hardship. You are not alone. Your community stands with you. If you or someone you know needs support, visit yaaace.com to learn more about available resources and how we can help.

May the year ahead bring healing, growth, and renewed hope.

🎉Happy New Year — we move forward together🎊

12/12/2025

During the Summer Institute 2025, we partnered with TD to provide our Grade 7–8 students and youth leaders with the opportunity to participate in the TD Youth Hackathon, brought forward by the Platforms and Technology Black Experience Resource Group. This partnership created a powerful, hands-on experiential learning opportunity where youth explored AI, technology, and innovation while connecting directly with industry leaders — including Senior TD Technology and Microsoft leaders.

We are proud to collaborate with TD to open doors, expand networks, and build meaningful pathways to the future of work in banking and technology.
Our Labour Market Intervention Strategy (LMIS) is aimed at addressing systemic barriers and disparities faced by Black, equity-denied, and justice-involved youth in accessing and navigating educational and career opportunities. Through LMIS, we are equipping our youth with essential skills, knowledge, aptitude, and support to succeed in post-secondary education and the workforce.

A very special thank you to Elton John for creating this event and helping bring this vision to life, as well as Ali-Al Hassan, Samantha Jones, Melaine D’Lyma, Claudia Fuller, Nima M., and the Black at Microsoft ERG for their leadership, partnership, and unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for our young people. Your support continues to make a transformative impact.

12/04/2025

Last week’s Black Youth Violence and Trauma Forum left us with powerful, resonant moments.

We explored the roots and lived realities of youth violence, while also highlighting the strength of community in healing and overcoming trauma.

Last week Friday, on the National Day Against Gun Violence, YAAACE joined communities and organizations across Canada ho...
06/13/2025

Last week Friday, on the National Day Against Gun Violence, YAAACE joined communities and organizations across Canada hosting events advocating for the safety of our children and youth.

We focused on the urgent need for legislative and policy change to address the devastating impact of social media as a digital violence accelerant. We centered mothers' voices, as well as the voices of youth and communities directly impacted by the harsh reality of gun violence and the retaliatory (get-back-killing) phenomenon.

It was a day that strengthened the fabric of our communities — bringing together youth, parents, community pillars, elders, and mentors — to educate and raise awareness about how social media is fueling the digital violence epidemic.

Working together with the Toronto Police Services (Chief Superintendent Mandeep Mann – Community Safety Command, SafeTO), we will engage government, stakeholders (social media companies and large tech companies), to eradicate the imminent threat of social media as a digital violence accelerant.

At YAAACE, we don’t wait for change — we create it.

Last week Friday, on the National Day Against Gun Violence, YAAACE joined communities and organizations across Canada ho...
06/13/2025

Last week Friday, on the National Day Against Gun Violence, YAAACE joined communities and organizations across Canada hosting events advocating for the safety of our children and youth.

We focused on the urgent need for legislative and policy change to address the devastating impact of social media as a digital violence accelerant. We centered mothers' voices, as well as the voices of youth and communities directly impacted by the harsh reality of gun violence and the retaliatory (get-back-killing) phenomenon.

It was a day that strengthened the fabric of our communities — bringing together youth, parents, community pillars, elders, and mentors — to educate and raise awareness about how social media is fueling the digital violence epidemic.

Working together with the Toronto Police Services (Chief Superintendent Mandeep Mann – Community Safety Command, SafeTO), we will engage government, stakeholders (social media companies and large tech companies), to eradicate the imminent threat of social media as a digital violence accelerant.

At YAAACE, we don’t wait for change — we create it.


@

Address

45 Norfinch Drive
North York, ON
M3N1W8

Telephone

4165677994

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when YAAACE posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to YAAACE:

Shortcuts

Share

Category