United Way Simcoe Muskoka’s Youth United is an entirely youth-driven program for youth ages 15-30 that provides one-time micro-grants to help support youth-led projects in the County of Simcoe, the District of Muskoka or the Town of the Blue Mountains. 

This year, our Youth United program is funded by Canada Service Corps (CSC). A funding pot of $105,000 is available to provide youth with micro-grants up to $5,000 each to support small-scale innovative youth-led community service projects.

Applications for 2024 projects are now closed. We thank everyone who submitted an application.

2024 Projects

This year’s youth-led projects in partnership with 19 community partners are mobilizing collective action in our communities by addressing poverty reduction and social inclusion,  reconciliation, the need to preserve the environment, strengthening youth resilience and building an inclusive community.

Lunchtime ‘Brawta’organized by the Nantyr Black Students & Allyship Association will offer workshops conducted by knowledge sharing mentors to students covering topics such as financial literacy, overcoming adversity, and cultural appropriation versus appreciation.

MYVoice will establish a youth mental health advisory committee to provide a platform where youth can grow, heal, and have a safe place where they feel that their voice is being heard.

The Presenter Series in partnership with the Barrie Public Library will cover a range of topics including environmentalism, confidence, diversity, and belonging.

Youth Essentials will provide supply bags containing essentials such as bus passes and travel-sized hand sanitizers for youth who are currently utilizing the shelter system.

In partnership with the Creemore Food Bank a fully insulated and heated storage shed will be built to significantly increase the amount of storage available to the organization.

Club Alliance, working with the Gilbert Centre, will create information toolkits for francophone LGBTQIA youth peers.

Bridging the Path to a Brighter Future will communicate with local partners on Christian Island to establish the needs and to reach out to local businesses to source discounted items for three categories: medical supplies, school supplies and healthy living items while ensuring designated items reach their intended destination.

Forget Me Not will engage bereaved youth in Muskoka to develop coping skills, improve their grief literacy, and access peer support utilizing mediums including writing, conversation, art, and music.

Special Olympics: Fueling Success through Nutritional Programming will offer healthy lifestyle and nutritional education to athletes through offering workshops, supplying gift bags with healthy snacks, and helping athletes access competitions.

The Barrie Food Pantry will place wooden food pantries stocked with donations in public locations where they can be accessed 24/7.

After School Art Program will encourage youth to build resiliency and learn visual art skills while offering the opportunity to discuss topics such as healthy relationships, managing stress, body image, feminism, colonialism, gender stereotypes, and the Indigenous perspective on the importance of land.

Indoor Ice Jam will host an indoor skating event that will provide youth with physical activity while also learning about the benefits of competitive kayak and canoe activities.

The Youth March Break project will offer Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, Inuit), LGBTQ+, and disabled youth engaging land-based activities and day trips while providing a culturally enriching experience.

Free Workshops For Youth in Low-Income Communities will offer a series of training and professional development courses including, First Aid CPR, High Five, and Food Handlers.

Furnish Futures will divert furniture from landfills while allowing youth participation in furniture upcycling workshops. The refinished furniture will be available to students and vulnerable families.

Mental Health & Afghan Community will develop culturally tailored educational materials and resources for mental health workshops, ensuring they are accessible and relatable to the Afghan community.

The Youth Advisory Council supporting YouthCALL will host a community event to support the launch of an outreach van program.

Peaceful Pages Mental Health Day will host a mental health awareness day to support youth who are struggling.

We Are The Villagers a charity that creates opportunity and inclusion for disadvantaged children and youth to participate in extracurricular activities, will upgrade their float used for parades. Youth will have the opportunity to express their creativity while giving back to the community.

CCI Pickle Bowl Invitational will serve as a comprehensive platform for high school students, providing avenues for competitive engagement, collaborative teamwork, structured training, social interaction, and physical activity.