Making the Impossible, Possible: CYC Performing Arts Program

The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC) prides itself on being able to respond to the changing needs of its community. For 37 years, the CYC has been successfully providing barrier-free access to and delivering social, skill development and recreational programming to residents of the St. James Town, Cabbagetown and Regent Park communities for all residents from newborns to seniors, while maintaining a specific focus on children and youth at risk.

Serving the most marginalized children, youth and families, the CYC understands that the continuity of access to program opportunities, that provide positive alternatives that would otherwise not be available, is key to improving the chances for success in life the high risk children and youth that we serve. In the neighbourhoods served by the CYC there is a disproportionate amount of ‘latch-key’ children, who without a caregiver at home after school, are without the supervision, support and help they need to succeed Moreover, they are deprived of basic opportunities taken for granted by so many.

The CYC strives to fill the gaps in services and serve as a safety net for these children, youth and families through training, social and skill development, education, recreation and mentoring to provide opportunities that would otherwise not be available.

In direct response to community needs, CYC specializes its programs to increase access and opportunity. One shining example is CYC's Performing Arts Program. Started as a Pilot Project, it has become a focal point for the community providing fun and training in drama, dance, vocal and literacy showcasing the efforts and talents of these children in year-round and summer end performances eliciting standing ovations as well as personal and community pride.

Merely a few years ago, there were no existing, affordable and accessible performing arts programs. The CYC Performing Arts Program has grown into an acclaimed program that provides Dance, Vocal, Drama and Literacy training, free-of-charge, throughout the year. Participants have won international awards and the program has been lauded by the Minister of Education. In a short time, the benefits of the program are multi-fold and include:

• *creation of a support network for young, isolated girls who normally are excluded from this quality programming
• *provision of opportunities otherwise not available through performing arts training
• *provision of a safe and nurturing environment outside of school for skill development, support, physical fitness and social integration
• *increase in participation from boys who felt isolated from other recreational programs, by encouraging creativity and development
• *improvement in self-esteem, confidence, socialization levels, expression & overall attitudes
• *discovery of remarkable talent with CYC teams placing and winning international competition
• *provision of training, skill development and volunteer & employment opportunities to youth from the community itself.
• *development of mentors within the community
• *provided consistent, reliable programming instilling trust and hope in participants and families

THE CHALLENGE is to meet the growing need while ensuring barrier-free access continues to help children and youth access opportunities that would normally be out of reach and thought.

Over the past year, CYC has embarked upon a capital improvement campaign for vital repairs and updates to its main site at 2 Lancaster Avenue that hasn't been improved since 1983. The challenge has been to find the resources while ensuring that programs are funded and that their delivery remains uninterrupted, while continuing to be a trustworthy, positive focal point in the community.

THE IDEA - Aviva Community Fund support will nurture a program that in turn, nurtures hundreds of marginalized children and youth every year. Funding for $50,000 will provide vital support for 1 Full-Time and 3 Part-Time staff to meet the overwhelming demand for this program while enabling CYC one funding cycle to build the volumes into its core funding. If given the opportunity the CYC would be proud to inaugurate The Aviva Performing Arts Program to help to insure the success of hundreds of children and youth in one of North America's most densely populated and under-serviced areas, providing them with opportunities otherwise not available to improve their chances for success in life.

The Aviva Community Fund's support will offer these youth the dignity they deserve by enabling CYC to maintain and enhance our response to the needs of these children and youth, especially those facing multiple barriers and compromised access to community programs and services.

CYC’s success has always been built upon a passion to serve and a vision to strengthen the “hearts” in the community by opening a door for happiness, pride, dignity and respect. Please help us help the youth succeed!