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.

Creating Connections for Newcomer Youth

In partnership with HRIC, newcomer and Indigenous youth can learn about Indigenous culture, healthy coping strategies and more. The core of this program is focused on the Seven Grandfather Teachings and healthy coping skills development.

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

GirlZone

GirlZONE programs provide fun, inclusive, safe space for girls in the community. This program offers a wide variety of activities that facilitate conversations around gender centered issues and provide opportunities to build confidence, self-esteem, and self-advocacy within the participants. Programming includes creative, physical, and wellness based activities. ​

Ages 14-24

LearnON

LearnON is an academic support program for youth aged 13-21, with a primary goal of addressing educational disparities, improving academic opportunities, and facilitating a successful transition to adulthood through various club-based activities. The program staff focus on three key areas: (1) Academic Support, which offers a range of activities to help youth excel in their academics, including group homework help, tutoring, creative writing, and scientific demonstrations. (2) Transitional Support, providing guidance during crucial academic and personal transitions, such as moving between school levels, exploring career options, and setting intentional goals. (3) Social-Emotional Wellbeing, where staff receive specialized training to support overall youth wellness, with an emphasis on emotional regulation, trauma-informed practices, and emotional intelligence, ensuring that young individuals are well-equipped to manage life changes and life beyond high school.

Ages 13-21

Location: Centre on Barton Club

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.

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 14-24

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

Women’s Space

Participants in this program will discuss topics on mental health & wellness, resources in Hamilton, employment, and family dynamics. Spaces limited. Must be a permanent resident or government assisted refugee. This program is running virtually.

Ages 18+, Woman-Identifying

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.

Glenn Harkness Scholarship

The Glenn Harkness Scholarship was introduced by the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton East Inc. in 2019 to honour the Club’s former Executive Director, Glenn Harkness’, 30+ years of service to BGC Hamilton-Halton and the Hamilton community.

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.

Applications are submitted through BGC Canada’s website and are typically accepted annually in May. Please visit www.bgchh.com for more information.

BGC Canada Scholarships

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

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

1. Be a current or former BGC Club member for a minimum of 1 year (part-time Club staff if they meet the eligibility requirements can apply).
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 post-secondary education (e.g. college, university or trades school; diploma, degree, apprenticeship, or other program) at an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada beginning September 2024.  Program must be one year in length at minimum.
4. Applicant may apply at any point during their pursuit of post-secondary education.

For more information, visit www.bgchh.com.

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.