Be Involved

Why U Puffin'?

Toronto Public Health is conducting a project about tobacco use by Queer and Trans (LGBTTQQI2SAPP) youth. We are inviting Queer and Trans youth age 16 to 24 living in Toronto to register for one of our focus groups to find out about their tobacco use and what services could help prevent or reduce use.

The research team consists of people from Toronto Public Health, Rainbow Health Ontario, Griffin Centre, Youth Advocacy Training Institute, The 519 Church St. Community Centre and the Canadian Cancer Society. The focus group will take up to two hours and participants will receive a $20 Loblaws gift certificate, two TTC tokens and refreshments. Find out how to register.

Want to quit smoking?

Toronto Public Health is partnering with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to provide STOP study workshops in several Toronto locations during March 2013. You may be eligible to participate in a treatment study using nicotine replacement therapy (i.e. nicotine patch) to help you quit smoking. Confidentiality is assured and medication is free of charge.

To learn more and see if you qualify to register, call:

• Shannon at 416-397-4883 or Xavier 416-338-2672
• Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Screening is by phone and takes less than 5 minutes to complete.

Youth Health Action Network (YHAN)

Toronto Public Health Youth Health Action Network (YHAN) is for Toronto youth between the ages of 16 to 24 years. Youth are involved in planning, coordinating and taking action on current and emerging health issues affecting youth within the City of Toronto. Tobacco use prevention work is a priority.

There are no vacancies to become a YHAN member at this time, however, you can still register online to have your application on file for future consideration.

For more information contact us by e-mail at beyourbestself@toronto.ca.

Toronto Public Health Youth Grants (TPHYG)
(for youth agencies and organizations)

These grants help motivate and create opportunities for youth engagement and action on health issues within Toronto. Funded projects are youth-driven, community-based and emphasize partnerships.

You can apply for a grant if you are an agency serving youth or an organization with existing youth groups and your participants are between 13 - 19 years old. For more information, contact us by e-mail at beyourbestself@toronto.ca.

Check out some of the work the youth involved in TPHYG have created.

Sexual Health Clinics

Did you know the hours of Toronto Public Health's Sexual Health Clinics have changed? Now appointments are no longer needed and you can take advantage of our drop-in hours every day! See our schedule for clinics across Toronto Sexual Health Clinics.

Free dental care for youth under 17

Toronto Public Health provides free non-emergency and emergency dental care for eligible youth under 17 years.

Call or visit one of our clinics to get more information about Toronto Public Health dental services. See a list of all the clinics around the city.

Completing the Circle: Paid Work Experience for Youth

Paid Work Experience for Youth is a 12-week work experience program that places participants with a private sector employer in a high demand field. Employers will receive a wage subsidy equivalent to minimum wage for 24 hours of work per week for the 12-week period. For more information, visit Frontline Partners with Youth Network.

YMCA — FREE Teen Night

Are you between the ages of 13-19? Come and join the Teen Night at YMCA on the weekends where you can utilize any space and equipment including the gym, swimming pools, dance studio, track, gym equipment etc. For more information, visit YMCA Teen Nights.

Tan-Free Grad Grants

Organizing a Tan-Free Grad is an easy, yet powerful way to make your voice heard in the fight against cancer.

School groups participating in Tan-Free Grad 2013 are eligible to apply for a $300 grant to help you and your team create an amazing campaign. The deadline for applications has been extended. Applying for the grant is easy. Visit Tan Free Grad.

Volunteers Needed!

If you are looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer position, then Community MicroSkills Youth Services might be the place for you. We have many opportunities available including:

• Community and youth advocacy
• Administrative support
• Youth program support
• Tutors, special events and much more

Community MicroSkills Youth Services is located at 235 Dixon Rd., Unit 12 & 106.

For more information contact Tracy at 416-247-7181 ext. 2609 or e-mail tnyguyen@microskills.ca.

Quit and Get Fit

If you are ready to quit smoking or thinking about quitting, join Quit and Get Fit sponsored by The Ontario Lung Association. This program highlights the benefits of exercise to help with quitting smoking.

Free After Three – Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Did you know that from Tuesday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to close, you can visit the AGO for free with a valid high school I.D.? That's free access to the over 80,000 works in their collection. For more information visit Free After Three.

The Quit Exchange

Did you know every attempt to stop smoking gets you closer to quitting for good? Whether it is your first time making a quit attempt, or you have tried it before, you now have two innovative web tools to support you to quit smoking.

Check out Don't Quit Quitting.

NewYouth.ca Newsletter

NewYouth.ca offers many resources for youth living in Ontario's multicultural communities, including making the transition from school to work, how to find and keep a job, and where to go when you need health care or want to take a language class.

To find out more visit NewYouth.ca.

Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI): Get involved!

Want to make a difference in your community? Ever wonder what it takes for philanthropists to achieve their goals? Well, no better time than the present. Speak to your teacher, talk to your principal, tell them why you think YPI would play an important role in your education and your life. Then, send them a link to the YPI website where they can get all the information they need to get the program up and running in your school. Learn more about this initiative.

Shake Tobacco Off Movies (STOM)

Sign the two STOM petitions and forward to your friends:

1. Show anti-tobacco ad before all movies that portray smoking
2. Rate all movies with smoking as either R or 18A

Links to sites external to the Toronto Public Health Web site are provided as a convenience and their inclusion does not imply that Toronto Public Health endorses or accepts any responsibility for the content or use of these sites.