Link:  Youth Host Program

Link:  Ontario Host Program Summer 2008 Newsletter featuring a story about a Thunder Bay Youth Host volunteer.

Thunder Bay now has a new service for newcomer youth to help them make friends, learn about Canadian culture, become more comfortable in their new surroundings, and have a blast doing it!

The Youth Host Program brings together newcomers to Canada aged 13-24 and established “Canadian” youth of the same age for friendship, sharing, and learning.

Newcomer youth learn about living in Canada, practice speaking English, and make connections in their new community.

Youth Host volunteers act as guides to life in the community. In the process, they learn about other cultures and gain a better understanding of what it’s like for another person their age to move to a new country and culture.

Along the way, newcomers and volunteers will do activities together, meet with other youth to hang out and share what they’ve experienced, and attend events put on by the Youth Host Coordinator such as bowling, a night at the Sports Dome, hiking, and many more!

The Youth Host Program helps newcomers feel at home sooner, and it builds a welcoming and diverse community. The Youth Host Program benefits everyone by helping Canadian society achieve its full potential!