Youth Programs

ABACUS: Advancing Post-Secondary Access

ABACUS is funded through the Hamilton Community Foundation. The program focuses on improving the academic, community and environmental factors that most directly affect a student’s likelihood of continuing his or her education. The goal of the program is to improve high school graduation rates and access to post-secondary education, including trades and apprenticeship opportunities, by focusing on the middle-school years: Grades 6, 7, 8 and transition to 9. Students in ABACUS will participate in activities under the four pillars of the program which are: Academic Upskilling, Mentorship, Goal Setting and Incentives.

Mondays & Thursdays
Grades 6-8

Act Out

Act out is a dramatic arts program where youth practice a variety of skills. This session youth will be working on a virtual play where they will work on character development, memorizing lines, rehearsing and performing. Youth who want to support in other ways such as costumes, stage management, and tech are encouraged to join as well. 

Ages 13-24

Athletic Development

Intensive athletic development program for racialized youth who wish to become high-level, competitive athletes. This program addresses well-documented systemic barriers faced by racialized youth in pursuing elite athletics and aims to provide an accessible, intensive training experience for student athletes. Combining an intensive physical regime with mentorship, psychosocial supports and scholarship incentives. We are deeply committed to evidence-based, community-engaged programming to promote success for young, racialized athletes.

Program is in partnership with Steel Town Athletic Club. For more information please contact Vince | vincent.kuber@gmail.com 

Ages 14-18

Community Connections for Youth

The Community Connections Program for youth provides services to newcomers to encourage social, cultural and professional interactions to help them in their settlement journey to Canada. This is a registered program for Permanent Residents and Government Assisted Refugees.

Ages 15-24

Flex Your Head

Flex Your Head was developed to help youth think about, talk about, and understand issues of mental health and wellness within a safe, fun, and welcoming environment. In an active, peer-based format, youth are given the knowledge, skills, and strategies to cope with stress and distress and promote positive mental health and wellness. 

Ages 13-24

Positive Space

Positive Space is a youth-led initiative whose purpose is to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Youth will have access to a safe space where they can share their struggles and joys around their sexual orientation and gender identities. The youth will set out the agenda, and how the program will run with staff supporting program planning and cover topics such as relationships, safety, and outreach.

Ages 13-24

Raise the Grade

A multi-faceted education program, Raise the Grade increases academic skills, high school graduation rates, and access to post-secondary education for youth. It is an interactive after-school program that allows young people to explore their personal interests, receive homework support, connect with mentors and/or tutors, interact with peers, increase their digital literacy, and plan for post-secondary education.

#RBCFutureLaunch
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Grades 9-12

Location: Centre on Bartion Club

Youth Council

The objective of the our Youth Council is to provide youth with opportunities to engage in service and volunteering initiatives that will address community needs and allow youth to develop life and employment skills as well as self-confidence and leadership abilities.

Grades 9-12

Old Navy ON the Job

Old Navy’s ON the Job #ONward program empowers the next generation with the real-world skills, training and jobs to make a difference in our communities and continue on a path forward to a brighter future. Their partnership with BGC Canada focuses on programs and activities that promote service to community, leadership, workforce training and first job opportunities in meaningful and fun ways for thousands of youth across the country.

This Way ONward

This Way ONward is a job-readiness program that provides the next generation with the first jobs, mentoring, skills, and confidence they need to find their way in today’s job market. With skill-building that includes resume writing, job searching, mock interviewing, and real work experience, This Way ONward prepares teens to land a job at an Old Navy store in their community. Participants are guaranteed an interview, and upon hiring they receive on-the-job support from their Club’s job coaches and Old Navy coworkers.

UPS Road Code

This state-of-the-art, interactive program is supported by the UPS Foundation and uses a combination of classroom instruction and virtual driving simulators to teach teens the safe driving code used by all UPS drivers. This program is offered once a month and is designed to prepare youth for road safety.

Ages 13-18

AIM Recycling Tons of Hope Scholarship

The AIM Recycling Tons of Hope Scholarship was created in partnership with AIM Recycling to honour the legacy of BGC Alumnus, and prominent steel industry member, George Bereziuk. Scholarships will be awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time or part-time program at an accredited post-secondary educational institution beginning in September 2022.

Applications Closed.

Lucas Ulbinas Memorial Scholarship

The Ulbinas family has partnered with the BGC Hamilton-Halton to offer post-secondary scholarships to eligible individuals through the Lucas Ulbinas Memorial Scholarship. Lucas, a Club Alumnus was an avid adventurer and enjoyed being active, particularly outdoors. After his untimely passing in January 2021 this scholarship was created in his honour. Scholarships will be awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Applications Closed.

Glenn Harkness Scholarship

The Glenn Harkness Scholarship was introduced by the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton East Inc. in 2019 to honour the current Executive Director, Glenn Harkness’ 30+ years of service to Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton and the Hamilton community.

Applications Closed.

Best Buy Grade 10 Scholarships

In partnership with BGC Canada and Best Buy Canada, we are pleased to offer assistance in helping youth apply to the Best Buy Grade 10 scholarship. This opportunity is eligible for Club members in grade 10 to support their successful completion of high school and enrolment in post-secondary education.

BGC Canada Scholarships

BGC Canada is pleased to offer postsecondary scholarships to eligible youth Club members from across Canada.   

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:  

1. Be a current or former BGC member for a minimum of 1 year. 
2. Be a maximum of 24 years of age at the time of application. 
3. Be pursuing some form of full-time or part-time postsecondary education (e.g. college, university, or trades school; diploma, degree, apprenticeship, or another program) at an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada in September 2022 or January 2023.  The program must be one year in length at minimum. 
4. Applicants may apply at any stage of their pursuit of post-secondary education.

Applications closed.

Kiwanis Staples Scholarship

Applications closed.

Youth of the Year

Youth of the Year is a national initiative celebrating youth leadership and achievement at BGC Clubs across Canada. Youth of the Year aims to foster strong BGC ambassadors and build capacity for Clubs to support more youth leaders in their communities.

Club youth ages 15-21 are encouraged to apply for Youth of the Year by submitting written responses and a video showcasing their achievements, service, and leadership to their Club, school, and community.

Click Here to learn more about Youth of the Year.

CIBC Youth Accelerator Scholarship – Now Closed

Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund – Now Closed