The YMCA of Greater Toronto and United Way Toronto are pleased to provide Youth Who Thrive, a resource created to support the development of youth programming. While there are hundreds of studies that address the question of how to help youth thrive, for the past decade there hasn’t been a systematic review that summarizes the best available knowledge.

The Students Commission of Canada and the Social Program Evaluation Group at Queen’s University conducted a literature review to synthesize the best available current research on youth development and developed this resource. The findings will be used to help the YMCA and United Way Toronto develop and improve existing programs for youth.  Beyond our organizations, we wanted to share what we learned with others to support the development and delivery of programs that have greatest possible positive impacts for youth in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.