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Contact Us: Focus on Youth
We will be accepting applications to appropriate dates February 24 - March 14, 2025:
Focus on Youth provides job opportunities and leadership activities for more than 125 secondary students in Ottawa. Through this program, youth (ages 16+) have the opportunity to be mentored and gain valuable leadership experience, while supporting their community.
The program is a partnership between the Ontario government, school boards, and local community agencies.
The OCDSB supports Focus on Youth by:
- Working with secondary schools to hire students to participate in the program.
- Leading training activities in areas including, leadership, mental health awareness and pre-employment guidance before working with the non-profit agencies.
In past years, students have worked in a variety of positions, including camp counselors and custodians, supporting local non-profits and community agencies, including:
- BGC
- YMCA/YWCA
- Community Houses
- Parkdale Food Centre
- OCDSB
The Focus on Youth is also part of the OCDSB Cooperative Education (co-op) program, which is a structured method of combining classroom-based education with practical work experience. With Focus on Youth, students have the opportunity to earn up to two co-op credits while being paid to work and support the community. A co-op teacher will monitor their progress.
Partner with Focus on Youth
The program is mutually beneficial for students and local partners alike. As students gain valuable work experience, community agencies have the chance to mentor youths and benefit from extra support during the busy summer months.
Students are hired, paid and supported by the OCDSB through this program, with agencies only responsible for supervision.
Learn more about how to be involved with Focus on Youth
See the tabs below for more information about program goals, student qualifications, important information for community agencies and key dates.
Contact Information
- Wendy Lamble, FOY Coordinator - wendy.lamble@ocdsb.ca - 613-978-7513
Resources
Focus on Youth student employment applications will be accepted from on February 07, 2025.
Key Dates
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February 24, 2025 |
Job application period opens |
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March 14, 2025 |
Job application period closes at midnight |
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March 17-21, 2025 |
Shortlisted students will be contacted for an Interview. |
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March 24-April 4, 2025 |
Interviews |
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May and June |
Orientation and Various Trainings |
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July 02 -August 15, 2025 |
FOY placements |
Our goal is to enhance high-quality summer program opportunities for children and support youth with employment and training throughout Ottawa:
- Improving the quality of life for children and youth in communities who otherwise would have limited access to summer programs
- Providing as many free camp opportunities as possible for the children
- Providing employment opportunities for students deemed to be in vulnerable or in-risk circumstances
- Providing a numeracy and or literacy component
- Must be 16 years of age by December 31, 2025
- Must be currently registered in an OCDSB school
- Will be able to commit to work from July 2-August 15
- Referral from school counselor, grad coach, student support coordinator, administrator, teacher or community-based referral
- Up to date résumé
- Successful Candidates will be required to have eligibility to work in Canada with a valid social insurance number and provide a vulnerable police record check for those 18yrs and older.
Students on placement are learning how to become responsible employees; this requires on-site supervision and support.
- Students cannot be given responsibility to supervise or manage summer programs.
- Students require six to seven weeks of employment.
- Students may require UP TO 35 hours each week of meaningful employment.
- Students are hired and paid by the OCDSB, not the participating community agency.
- Supervisors are required to submit weekly timesheets.