Long-term youth leadership, healing, and community accountability
WHAT THE PROGRAM IS
A long-term leadership and healing program for youth who need sustained support, guidance, and opportunity beyond short-term diversion or one-time interventions.
The COCRJ Youth Ambassadors Program is a long-term engagement pathway delivered by Friends in Toronto Community Services (FITCS) for youth who require ongoing support, mentorship, and meaningful responsibility within their communities.
Unlike short-term diversion programs or general character-building initiatives, this program is designed for youth whose needs extend beyond immediate justice intervention. It provides continuity, structure, and purpose through sustained involvement in healing-centred work, leadership development, and community accountability.
Youth Ambassadors are not passive participants. They are supported to grow into active contributors, peer leaders, and change agents over time.
WHO THE PROGRAM IS FOR
This program serves youth who:
- Have completed or are connected to restorative justice processes (such as COCRJ)
- Require longer-term support beyond immediate diversion or crisis response
- Are navigating complex personal, family, or community challenges
- Show potential for leadership but need guidance, structure, and trust-building
- Benefit from consistent mentorship and meaningful responsibility
The Youth Ambassadors Program is not time-limited. Participation is based on readiness, growth, and ongoing support needs rather than fixed timelines.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Long-Term Engagement Model
Youth engage in the program over an extended period, allowing relationships, skills, and accountability to develop gradually and sustainably.
Key components include:
- Ongoing Mentorship & Support
Youth receive consistent guidance from facilitators and community mentors who understand trauma, justice involvement, and cultural context. - Leadership & Skill Development
Training focuses on communication, conflict resolution, facilitation, advocacy, and responsible decision-making. - Healing-Centred Practice
Youth continue participating in healing circles, reflection, and restorative practices to support personal growth and emotional regulation. - Community Contribution
Youth Ambassadors support outreach, peer engagement, workshops, and community initiatives connected to COCRJ and FITCS programs. - Progressive Responsibility
As trust and capacity grow, youth take on greater leadership roles aligned with their strengths and readiness.
WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM DIFFERENT
The COCRJ Youth Ambassadors Program is distinct because it offers:
- Long-term engagement, not short-term diversion
- Relational continuity, not rotating service providers
- Accountability with support, not punishment
- Leadership through service, not performative participation
- Cultural grounding and lived-experience awareness
This program recognizes that meaningful change takes time — especially for youth impacted by harm, exclusion, or system involvement.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Many youth exit diversion or character-based programs without sustained support, leaving underlying needs unaddressed. Without continuity, progress can stall or reverse.
The Youth Ambassadors Program fills this gap by offering youth a path forward, not just an exit from harm. It strengthens individual wellbeing while building safer, more connected communities.
CONNECTION TO COCRJ
The Youth Ambassadors Program is closely connected to the Circle of Change Restorative Justice (COCRJ) program.
For many youth, this program represents:
- A next step after restorative justice participation
- A stable bridge between accountability and leadership
- A long-term alternative to repeated system involvement
GET INVOLVED / REFERRALS
Youth may be referred by:
- COCRJ facilitators
- Schools and community organizations
- Families and caregivers
- Justice and youth-serving partners
The program also welcomes partners interested in mentorship, training, and collaborative opportunities.