Thrive Youth Development Canada

Thrive Youth Development Canada Creative leadership programming so youth can become more confident, capable and connected.

Since 1996, Thrive Youth (formerly DAREarts) has used creative experiential learning and leadership development programs to empower young people across Canada. We believe is a world where children and youth are confident, capable, and connected to reach their potential and thrive.

When community leadership meets youth passion, real transformation happens. As we approach the release of our 30-year mi...
07/30/2026

When community leadership meets youth passion, real transformation happens.

As we approach the release of our 30-year mini-documentary on August 4th, we are reflecting on the incredible partnerships that make our work possible.

A huge thank you to our partners across the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead. 

Check out what one of our TDSB school leaders, Chi Le, had to say about the impact of Thrive‘s programming!

07/29/2026

Behind every voice is a story waiting to be told.

From quiet moments of creation to bold steps of community leadership, our youth have spent 30 years showing what happens when passion meets purpose.

Here is your first look at our upcoming mini documentary! Drop a 🎉 if you are excited for the full story!

Release Date: August 4th, 2026

04.08.26…Real stories, real impact.Save the date!
07/27/2026

04.08.26…
Real stories, real impact.
Save the date!

Creativity in the making at the Toronto School of Art!  On Friday, our youth headed downtown for an incredible hands-on ...
07/27/2026

Creativity in the making at the Toronto School of Art! 
 
On Friday, our youth headed downtown for an incredible hands-on workshop! Guided by the talented Natalie Waddell (Natalie Waddell), our group dove into the world of pottery, learning techniques to mold, sculpt, and build unique clay structures from scratch.
 
The experience invited our youth to explore tactile art as a tool for patience, self-expression, and creative problem-solving. From turning raw clay into meaningful pieces to embracing every step of the sculpting process, they practiced mindfulness, focus, and artistic confidence—key building blocks for confident, creative leaders.
 
A huge thank you to Natalie Waddell and the Toronto School of Art for facilitating such an inspiring, hands-on experience!

Connecting youth, art and the city! Yesterday, our youth headed out into Toronto for a truly inspiring field trip! Guide...
07/23/2026

Connecting youth, art and the city!

Yesterday, our youth headed out into Toronto for a truly inspiring field trip! Guided by local artist Kelcy Timmons Chan mixt.paints, our group explored some of Toronto’s most powerful street murals and learned about the impactful stories behind the art.

The experience invited youth to see their community in a new way: as a reflection of the people who shaped it, the stories they carry, and the ideas they choose to share. They saw how art can be a powerful tool for expressing a point of view, starting conversations, and helping others see the world differently. Along the way, youth practiced curiosity, critical thinking, observation, self-expression, and engaging thoughtfully with their surroundings - all important parts of becoming confident, creative leader leaders.

Thank you, Kelcy, for leading such a meaningful experience!

How do you use art to share your story or perspective? Let us know in the comments!

High schoolers: Stop scrolling social media and start creating content that actually matters. 🎬✨Youth Lead Impact is a F...
06/15/2026

High schoolers: Stop scrolling social media and start creating content that actually matters. 🎬✨

Youth Lead Impact is a FREE, high-energy 5-day program for youth ages 14-18. Learn the art of digital storytelling—from scriptwriting and filmmaking to video editing. Take action to build healthier online spaces, share your authentic voice, and connect with a creative crew.

🔥 Bonus: Participation counts toward community service hours!
❌ No experience needed.

We're excited to be running in TWO Lower Mainland locations this Summer:

Surrey:
📍 Location: Surrey City Centre Library
🗓️ Dates: August 10 - August 14 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
👉 Sign Up: https://www.thriveyouth.ca/yli-surrey

Vancouver:
📍 Location: The Landing Youth Centre (East Van)
🗓️ Dates: August 17 - August 21 (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
👉 Sign Up: https://www.thriveyouth.ca/yli-vancouver

A very special thank you to our National YLI Partner, RBC, for powering this opportunity, and to our wonderful community partner The Landing Youth Centre!

Vancouver families! Are you looking for a safe, engaging, and 100% FREE summer camp for your 11-13 year old? ☀️Thrive Yo...
06/15/2026

Vancouver families! Are you looking for a safe, engaging, and 100% FREE summer camp for your 11-13 year old? ☀️

Thrive Youth’s Learn Create Explore camp in East Vancouver offers the perfect mix of arts-based workshops and exciting, supervised local field trips. With a supportive 1:8 leader-to-camper ratio, your child will try new things, make friends, and build their leadership skills as they meet and work with professional local artists!

📍 Drop-off/Pick-up: The Landing Youth Centre (East Van)
🗓️ Dates: July 20 - July 31 (Mon-Fri, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
🎟️ Cost: FREE (Snacks provided!)

Spaces are limited and filling fast. Apply for you child's space here: https://www.thriveyouth.ca/lce-vancouver

A very special thank you to Northbridge Insurance, BNP Paribas, CLICK, the Johansen Larsen Foundation, and The Landing Youth Centre for making this opportunity possible!

🎨☀️ Learn, Create, Explore this summer with Thrive Youth!We're pleased to offer FREE spaces in this special arts-based s...
06/05/2026

🎨☀️ Learn, Create, Explore this summer with Thrive Youth!

We're pleased to offer FREE spaces in this special arts-based summer program for children ages 9–13 (grades 4–8 entering in September) who live in the Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park communities, thanks to the generous support of the Tippet Foundation.

Participants will build confidence, creativity, leadership skills, and meaningful connections through hands-on arts workshops, collaborative projects, field trips, and exciting creative adventures throughout the program.

🗓️ July 20–31 (weekdays only)
⏰ 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Thorncliffe Park Public School (80 Thorncliffe Park Dr, East York, ON M4H 1K3)
🎟️ FREE!
👥 Ages 9–13 (Grades 4–8 entering in September)

Participants should bring their own lunch and water bottle. Snacks provided!

This program is made possible through the support of the Tippet Foundation.

✨ Link in bio to fill out the inquiry form! Please note: completing the form does not confirm registration. Families will be contacted with next steps if spaces are available.

🎨✨ Applications are now open for Thrive Youth’s FREE Youth Lead Impact (YLI) Etobicoke Summer Program! ✨🎨This 5-day inte...
06/02/2026

🎨✨ Applications are now open for Thrive Youth’s FREE Youth Lead Impact (YLI) Etobicoke Summer Program! ✨🎨

This 5-day intensive program is designed for youth ages 13–18 (grades 9-12) who are passionate about creativity, leadership, community impact, and building future-ready skills.

Through hands-on workshops, collaboration with professional artists, and project-based learning, participants will work together to create a collective “Art Activation” exploring important social issues affecting their communities. 💡🌍

Participants will gain:
🎤 Leadership & teamwork skills
🎨 Creative mentorship from artist-educators
🧠 Communication & problem-solving experience
🤝 Community connections
📁 Portfolio-building experience
⏱️ 30 volunteer/community service hours

Program Details
🗓️ Dates: August 10–14, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Central Etobicoke High School (10 Denfield St, Etobicoke, ON M9R 3H1)
🎟️ Cost: FREE
👥 Ages: 13–18 (Grades 9–12 entering September 2026)

Made possible through the support of RBC, Thrive’s National Lead Partner for YLI.

Spots are limited! Link in bio to submit an inquiry form. Applications do not guarantee registration.

🎨☀️ Learn, Create, Explore this summer with Thrive Youth’s Etobicoke Summer Camp!Our FREE arts-based camp is designed fo...
05/25/2026

🎨☀️ Learn, Create, Explore this summer with Thrive Youth’s Etobicoke Summer Camp!

Our FREE arts-based camp is designed for youth ages 9–13 (grades 4–8 entering in September) to build confidence, creativity, leadership skills, and meaningful connections through hands-on workshops, field trips, and exciting creative adventures every day. From visual arts to collaborative projects, each day brings something new in a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment.

🗓️ July 6–17 (weekdays only)

⏰ 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

📍 Kipling Collegiate Institute — 380 The Westway, Etobicoke

🎟️ FREE

Participants should bring their own lunch and water bottle.

Snacks provided!

This camp was made possible by CIBC Foundation.

✨ Link in bio to fill out the inquiry form! Please note: completing the form does not confirm registration. Families will be contacted with next steps if spaces are available.

Address

1444 Queen Street E, Suite 101
Toronto, ON
M4L1E1

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14166396109

Website

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