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 2024-2025 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 27, 2024

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
ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto) Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Systems navigation Housing and social supports	Rob Cumming Director of Support Services 416 340-8484 rcumming@actoronto.org
Agincourt Community Services Association Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Laura Harper Program Director 416 292-6912, ext. 301 hlaura@agincourtcommunityservices.com
Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek Northwestern Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Priscilla Graham Band Administrator 1 807 853-0731 pgraham@aza.ca
The Arab Community Centre of Toronto Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Dima Amad Executive Director 416 825-6336 dima@acctonline.ca
Art Starts Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Youth justice Arts and culture	Spencer Phillips Executive Director 416 656-9994 spencer@artstartsto.com
Ausome Canada Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Education and training	Liisa Vexler Executive Director 613 898-1184 liisavexler@ausomeottawa.com
Autism Home Base Durham Inc. Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge; Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming; Quinte, Kingston, Rideau, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Housing and social supports, Improving access to resources for economic stability	Kelly Ng Outreach and Inclusion Manager 289 278-3489, ext. 6 Kelly@autismhomebase.com
Batchewana First Nation of Ojibways Northwestern Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Natalie Atkinson Chief Operating Officer 705 759-0914 natalie@batchewana.ca
Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek Northwestern Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections	Michael Samuel Esquega Economic Development Officer 1 807 885-3401 mesquega@rockybayfn.ca
Britannia Woods Community House Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Youth justice Housing and social supports Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Mohamed Sofa Executive Director 613 820-0853 mosfa@britanniawoods.com
Canadian Centre For Gender and Sexual Diversity Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Education and training Youth justice	Layla Farhat 613 513-4724 layla@kimiyaprojectlab.com
CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge, Simcoe York, Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Trynée Hancock Manager, Sector Leadership This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Centretown Community Health Centre Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Amy Li Community Developer 613 233-4443 ext. 2254 ali@centretownchc.org
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Thames Valley Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training, Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability	Brenda Young Justice Director 519 289-5555 byoung@cottfn.com
Citadel + Compagnie Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Culture and arts Increasing access to mentors	Laurence Lemieux Artistic Director 416-364-8011 laurence@citadelcie.com
Conseil Économique et Social d’Ottawa Carleton Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 3	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Employment and training Increasing access to mentors	Saint-Phard Désir Executive Director 613 248-1343 st-phard.desir@cesoc.ca
Community Development Council Durham Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge, Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Housing and social supports Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Alison Baxter Manager Social Planning and Research 9056862661 abaxter@cdcd.org
Department of Imaginary Affairs Toronto Grassroot group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Erica Wright Director of Operations 647 459-9775 erica@dia.space
Federation of Black Canadians Halton Peel, Hamilton, Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families, Education and training, Employment and training, Youth justice, Housing and social supports, Systems navigation, Improving access to resources for economic stability, Culture and arts, Increasing access to mentors.	Christopher Thompson Executive Director This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
For Youth Initiative Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Employment and training Youth justice Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Dennison Harcharan Finance Manager This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
Frontlines Toronto	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Increasing access to mentors	Stachen Frederick Executive Director This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
The Housing Help Centre Simcoe York, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Housing and social supports	S.Gopikrishna Executive Director 4162858070 s.gopikrishna@thhc.org
Jumblies Theatre Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Arts and culture	Sam Egan General Manager 647 918-4824 sam@jumbliestheatre.org
Kayla’s Children Centre Simcoe York Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Housing and social supports Increasing access to mentors	Sheindl Belenky Director of Finance 905 738-5542 sheindl@kaylaschildrencentre.org
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Employment and training Housing and social supports Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Mercy Lawluvi Executive Director 613 729-3145 mercy@iwso.ca
La Clé d’la Baie en Huronie Simcoe York Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Arts and culture	Tina-Anne Thibideau Executive Director 705 725-9755 dg@lacle.ca
Lady Ballers Camp Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Ashley Amofah Director of Operations This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
LAMP CHC Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Housing and social supports Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability	Jacqueline St.Kitts Senior Director, Community Programs 416 252-9701 ext. 299 jacquelines@lampchc.org
Midaynta Community Services Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Youth justice Housing and social supports Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Mahad Yusuf Executive Director 416 702-8056 mahad@midaynta.com
MOFIF Mouvement Ontarien des Femmes Immigrantes Francophones Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Culture and arts Increasing access to mentors	Carline Zamar Executive Director 647 390-4194 czamar@mofif.ca
Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Community Resource Centre Ottawa Grassroots group capacity: 1	Social Service-Community Development	Brad Spooner Program Manager 613 596-5626 bspooner@nrocrc.org
Nigerian Canadians for Cultural, Educational and Economic Progress Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Abiola Afolabi Executive Director 519 300-6237 ncceepwindsor@gmail.com
Oneida Nation of the Thames Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Erica Elijah Oneida Language and Cultural Centre Director 519 652-6227 olcc.director@oneida.on.ca
Parents partenaires en education Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Employment and training	Balguissa Ouedraogo Director of inclusion projects 613 890-5424 balguissa.ouedraogo@ppeontario.ca
The Participation House Project (Durham Region) Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Systems navigation Housing and social supports, Improving access to resources for economic stability	Tracy McGarry Director of Quality Assurance & Community Development 905 431-4930 tmcgarry@phdurham.com
Peel Career Assessment Services Inc. Halton Peel Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors Sports, physical activities	Devanand Maharaj Executive Director 905 670-1967 dev@peelcareer.com
Sault Community Information & Career Centre Inc. Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury; Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound & Timiskaming; Northwestern Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Adam Pinder Executive Director 705 759-0909 adam.pinder@saultcareercentre.ca
SAW Video Media Art Centre Champlain Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Arts and culture	Emily Ramsay Executive Director 613 238-7648 director@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca
Skills for Change Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Nidhi Khanna Vice President, Programs Operations 647 967-3682 nkhanna@skillsforchange.org
Social Planning Council of Ottawa Ottawa	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Reuben Mulinda Nashali Executive Coordinator This organization is not accepting any new requests for OM partnerships.
The Redwood Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Housing and social supports	Abi Ajibolade Executive Director 647 221-7885 aajibolade@theredwood.com
Roots Community Services Inc. Halton Peel Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families, Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Shane Joseph Chief Executive Officer 905 455-6789 shane@rootscs.org
University Settlement Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Systems navigation Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Raymond White Executive Director 416 598-3444 ext. 222 raymond.white@universitysettlement.ca
UrbanArts Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Arts and culture Increasing access to mentors	Mick Brambilla Interim Executive Director 416 723-3041 execdir@urbanartstoronto.org
VIBE Arts Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin & Sudbury; Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge; Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Employment and training Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability Arts and culture	Jason DeMata Mentorship Manager 416 929-9314 mentorship@vibearts.ca
Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. Essex, Kent, Lambton Grassroots group capacity: 2	Education and training Employment and training Youth justice Systems navigation Improving access to resources for economic stability	Rose Anguiano Hurst Executive Director 226 773-4591 rose@westofwindsor.com
Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha & Pine Ridge, Halton Peel, Toronto Grassroots group capacity: 1	Creating safe spaces for Black youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections Improving access to resources for economic stability Increasing access to mentors Improving/creating access to health and social programs/services	Wangari Tharao Director of Research 416 593-3261 wangari@whiwh.com
Women’s Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham Ontario Grassroots group capacity: 2	Creating safe spaces for Black and Indigenous youth and families to build strong cultural and community connections 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	Esther Enyolu Executive Director 905 427-7849 Esther.Enyolu@wmrccdurham.org

Potential Organizational Mentors

Connect with an organization

Submit a grant application with a collaborative agreement

OMs approved as of June 27, 2024

Discover More YOF resources