Potential Organizational Mentors

All grassroots groups applying for a Youth Opportunities Fund grant through the Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Streams must partner with an Organizational Mentor (OM) and sign a collaborative agreement together. 

On this page is a list of organizations that are pre-approved to be Organizational Mentors for the 2025-2026 round of Youth Opportunities Fund grants. 

Connect with an organization

As you identify potential Organizational Mentors and prepare to approach them, review the conversation guide that contains questions your group can ask the organization.  

Organizations will have their own selection process when choosing to partner with a grassroots group and may require a meeting to determine if your group and project align with their mission and mandate.

Submit a grant application with a collaborative agreement

Grassroots groups applying to the Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Streams with shortlisted Expressions of Interest from the most recent deadline are invited to complete the grant application that includes a signed collaborative agreement with an Organizational Mentor.

Download the OM – Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement template.    

Take time to review the agreement 
Make sure that your group agrees with the terms and conditions 
Consider how the agreement will help build your relationship with the Organizational Mentor throughout the project

OMs approved as of June 24, 2025

This list may be updated over time. If you require support finding an Organizational Mentor, connect with us at yof@otf.ca.

Organization and OTF Catchment served	Areas of Focus	Lead Contact Information
Adoption Council of Ontario Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Youth justice Systems navigation Increasing access to mentors	Chrish Kanagaratnam Manager - Finance & Human Resources 416 482-0021 chrish.kanagaratnam@adoptontario.ca
Agincourt Community Services Association Scarborough-based groups Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports	Laura Harper Program Director 416-321-6912, ext. 301 hlaura@acsa.ca
Ampere Association Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Nicolas Polito Chief Sustainable Funding Officer 705-878-8980 development@amp.ca
The Arab Community Centre of Toronto Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Systems navigation  Improving access to resources for economic stability  Arts and culture   Increasing access to mentors	Dima Amad Executive Director 416 231-7746 ext. 229 dima@acctonline.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Art Windsor-Essex Windsor Grassroots group capacity: 1	Arts and culture	Jennifer Matotek Executive Director 519 977-0013 jmatotek@artwindsoressex.ca
Arts Etobicoke Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Culture and arts	Wendy Rading Executive Director 647-809-8731 wendy@artsetobicoke.com
Aspire For Higher Brampton Grassroots group capacity: 2	Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports	Eldon Holder VP. of Social Impact & Stakeholder 819 209-5104 eldon@aspireforhigher.ca
Auberge Francophone d'Accueil et des Services aux Immigrants Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge, Essex, Kent, Lambton, Grey, Bruce, Huron & Perth, Halton Peel, Hamilton, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming, Niagara, Quinte, Kingston, Rideau, Simcoe York, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington & Dufferin Grassroot group capacity: 2 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Julie Lutete Executive Director 647 572-9000 direction@aubergefrancophone.org
BGC East Scarborough Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Georgele Weller Director, Programs & Community Services 416 282-7284 gweller@esbgc.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Black Canadians for Cultural Educational and Economic Progress Essex, Kent, Lambton, Grand River, Hamilton, Thames Valley, Waterloo, Wellington & Dufferin	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Ruphine Makenne Accountant 438 937-6400 makenne_ruphine@yahoo.fr This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Britannia Woods Community House Champlain Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Diana Belghali House & Administrative Coordinator 613 820-0853 diana@britanniawoods.com
Boys & Girls Club of London Essex, Kent, Lambton, Grey, Bruce, Huron & Perth, Thames Valley Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Hilda Cristales Manager of Finance 519-434-9115 ext. 224 hcristales@bgclondon.ca
Centre canadien pour l'unité de famille (CCF) Ontario *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors Other	Franklin Weledji Executive Director 647 679-5391 direction@centrecanadiendelafamille.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Centre d’Établissement, de Soutien et d’Orientation Communautaire (CESOC) Champlain (Francophone groups)	Employment and training Systems navigation  Improved access to resources for economic stability	Saint-Phard Désir Executive director 613 248-1343 ext. 306 sdesir@cesoc.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter Simcoe York, Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Youth justice Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors Other	Eleanor Yang Executive Director 647 280-6189 executivedirector@ccnctoronto.ca
Community Family Services of Ontario Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability, Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors Mental wellness support Support for youth with disabilities Newcomer programming	Anna Victoria Wong Executive Director 647 980-1822 awong@cfso.care
CultureLink Settlement and Community Services Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Arts and culture	Jemima Sabapathy Executive Director 647-403-8992 jsabapathy@culturelink.ca
Delta Family Resource Centre Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families  Education and training  Employment and training  Youth justice  Systems navigation   Improving access to resources for economic stability   Housing and social supports Arts and culture    Increasing access to mentors	Gillian Dennis Manager, Capacity Building 647 459-8925 gdennis@dfrc.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Durham Rape Crisis Centre Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Youth justice Housing and social supports	Gemma Broderick Executive Director 905-749-1032 gemma@drcc.ca
For Youth Initiative Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice	Dennison Harcharan 437 229-1177 dennison@foryouth.ca
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Employment and training Improving access to resources for economic stability	Mercy Lawluvi Executive Director 613 729-3145 mercy@iwso.ca
Impact ON Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Housing and social supports	Julien Geremie Executive Director 416 364-4545 ext. 113 julien.geremie@cco.coop
Indigenous Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Culture and arts Increasing access to mentors	Cathy Syrette Executive Director 705 989-9737 director@ssmifc This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Jane Alliance Neighbourhood Services Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Mohamud Mohamud Executive Director 416 249-6742 mmohamud@janealliance.com
Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services Grey, Bruce, Huron & Perth	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Systems navigation	David Willis President and CEO 226 668-4745 davidwillis@keystonebrucegrey.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
KIP Canada Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Youth justice	Derek Reid Co-founder and director of operations 416 505-5333 dreid.kipcanada@gmail.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Lady Ballers Camp Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families  Education and training  Employment and training  Youth justice  Systems navigation   Improving access to resources for economic stability   Housing and social supports Arts and culture    Increasing access to mentors	Toyo Ajibolade Executive Director 647 236-8696 executivedirector@ladyballerscamp.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
LAMP Community Health Centre Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families  Systems navigation   Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability	Jacqueline St.Kitts Senior Director, Community Programs 4162529701 ext. 299 jacquelines@lampchc.org
Midaynta Community Services Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families  Education and training  Employment and training  Youth justice  Systems navigation   Improving access to resources for economic stability   Arts and culture    Increasing access to mentors	Amina Noor Program Manager 416 544-1992 anoor@midaynta.com
NeighbourLink North York Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Maria Speare Executive Director 416-221-8283 maria@neighbourlink.org
Nigerian Canadians for Cultural, Educational and Economic Progress Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families  Youth justice Systems navigation  Improving access to resources for economic stability  Arts and culture	Celine Madjoufang Senior administrator 519 966-2767 c.carelle@ncceep.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre Halton Peel Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families  Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Michelle Knoll Executive Director 905 257-6029 michelle@opnc.ca
Operation Come Home Champlain	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	John Heckbert Executive Director 343-996-5874 jheckbert@operationcomehome.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Oshawa Senior Citizens Center Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability	Kimberly Lepine Executive Director 905 436-3889 KLepine@oshawa.ca
Parents partenaires en éducation Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury, Champlain, Hamilton, Niagara, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1 *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training	Balguissa Ouedraogo Director of inclusion projects 613 890-5424 balguissa.ouedraogo@ppeontario.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Peel Career Assessment Services Inc. Halton Peel Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training, Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Devanand Maharaj Executive Director 905-670-1967 ext. 0227 dev@peelcareer.com
Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre Champlain Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Susan Kuruvilla Health Promoter 613 288-2820 ext. 2134 or 613 295-3721 s.kuruvilla@pqchc.com
Preston Heights Community Group Waterloo, Wellington & Dufferin Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Arts and culture	Justin West Executive Director 226 988-6016 justinw@prestonheights.ca
Project READ Literacy Network Waterloo, Wellington & Dufferin Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Improving access to resources for economic stability Systems navigation	Robin Crank Executive Director 519-570-3054 info@projectread.ca
Restoration and Empowerment for Social Transition Centres (R.E.S.T.) Halton Peel, Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families  Education and training  Employment and training  Youth justice  Systems navigation   Improving access to resources for economic stability   Arts and culture    Increasing access to mentors	Dagma Koyi Executive Director 905 863-1118 dagma.koyi@restcentres.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Rise Up Youth Program Essex, Kent, Lambton	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families  Education and training  Employment and training  Increasing access to mentors	Richard Wells Founder 226 344-2182 rjwells32@gmail.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Routes Connecting Communities Inc. Simcoe York Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Education and training  Employment and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors Social Enterprise Community development Health promotion	Jordan Prosper Executive Director 905-722-4616 jordan@routescc.org
SAVAC-South Asian Visual Arts Centre  Toronto	Education and training  Employment and training  Improving access to resources for economic stability   Arts and culture    Increasing access to mentors	Indu Vashist Executive Director 416 542-1661 indu@savac.net This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
SAW Video Media Art Centre Champlain	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Arts and culture	Emily Ramsay Director 613 238-7648 director@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Sisters in Sync Halton Peel, Hamilton, Niagara, Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Joelle Kabisoso Executive Director 519 280-9395 joelle@sistersinsync.org This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Social Enterprise for Canada Halton Peel, Simcoe York	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families  Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Systems navigation  Improving access to resources for economic stability  Arts and culture   Increasing access to mentors	Darcy MacCallum CEO 289 470-5329 darcy.maccallum@socialenterprise.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Social Planning Council of Ottawa Champlain	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families  Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Systems navigation  Improving access to resources for economic stability  Arts and culture	Reuben M. Nashali Executive Director 613 291-9528 reuben@spcottawa.on.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Somali Canadian Association of Etobicoke Halton Peel, Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training, Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Barlin Nur Ali Director of Programs 4167424601 somcan925@gmail.com This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Spark Employment Services Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Chantal Makela Executive Director 705 671-2544 chantalm@sudburyemployment.ca
Story Planet Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Culture and arts Increasing access to mentors	Lizzie Haines Executive Director 416 893-4486 liz@storyplanet.ca
Sudbury Young Women's Christian Association Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Marlene Gorman Executive Director 705-562-3899 m.gorman@ywcasudbury.ca
The Teresa Group Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation  Housing and social supports Arts and culture   Increasing access to mentors	Rajesh Pisharody Executive Director 416 564-5985 rpisharody@teresagroup.ca
L'union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes Champlain *Francophone organization	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Janie-Renee Myner Executive Director 613-679-1334 directrice@franco-ontariennes.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
University Settlement Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous and Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Raymond White Executive Director 416 598-3444 raymond.white@universitysettlement.ca This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
The Village of Hope Niagara Grassroot group capacity: 1	Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability	Joe McCarthy Executive Director 905 562-3113 joe@villageofhopeniagara.org
West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre Toronto Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Arts and Culture	Joshua Hood Executive Director 416 755-9215 jhood@wsncc.org
Windfall Ecology Centre Simcoe York Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Arts and culture	Brent Kopperson Executive Director 289 809-4841 brent@windfallcentre.ca
Windsor Family Homes & Community Partnerships Essex, Kent, Lambton Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Housing and social supports Arts and culture   Systems navigation	Angela Yakonich Executive Director 519 258-4501 angela@wfhcp.com
Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families,  Youth justice Systems navigation  Improving access to resources for economic stability	Tomilola John Determinants of Health Program Manager 416 593-7655 tomilola@whiwh.com
Workforce Development Board Windsor-Essex Essex, Kent, Lambton Grassroots groups capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation, Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors	Tashlyn Teskey 226-674-3220 ext. 3020 tteskey@workforcewindsoressex.com

Potential Organizational Mentors

Connect with an organization

Submit a grant application with a collaborative agreement

OMs approved as of June 24, 2025

Discover More YOF resources