CityServe supports youth aged 16–24 who are impacted by poverty, systemic racism, exclusion, community violence and involvement with the justice system. As a local, year‑round employment and community service initiative led by the City in partnership with grassroots community organizations, the program moves beyond short‑term interventions by providing paid team‑based service, placements, mentorship, workforce‑readiness training, civic engagement opportunities, community‑based projects and career exposure that connect youth to meaningful employment pathways.
CityServe provides a structured environment where, over the course of 40 weeks, youth can build positive relationships, learn responsibility and feel a sense of belonging. Youth can participate in projects such as neighborhood clean-ups, food security initiatives, community safety projects, climate and environmental activities and community safety.
Upon completion of the program, youth can receive a stipend that can help them transition to their next step.
CityServe aligns with the City’s economic inclusion priorities and the Mayor’s Youth Safety Task Force by responding directly to youth-identified needs: paid opportunities, structure, mentorship and belonging.
How Youth Can Participate in CityServe
CityServe operates through community-based delivery partners, so youth must generally live in or be connected to one of the participating organizations delivering the program to participate. Recruitment and participate intake are managed directly by these partner organizations.
These participating organizations are:
Please connect directly with the organizations above to learn more about applying or to arrange an intake appointment.
2026 Expanded Summer CityServe Cohort
This cohort will run from July 6 to August 28, 2026. This cohort will serve youth ages 14–18 and provide approximately 30 hours per week for 8 weeks of paid programming, including community service placements, sustainable employment pathways, leadership skill development, mentorship, violence prevention initiatives, and mental health supports.
2026 Core Primary Fall Cohort
This cohort will run from November 2026 to May 2027. This cohort serves youth ages 16-24 and offers approximately 30 hours per week for 30 weeks of paid programming, including community service placements, City day placements with City divisions, sustainable employment pathways, leadership skill development, mentorship, violence prevention initiatives and mental health supports.
Participation Snapshot (2025 - 2026)
- 37 youth engaged across six community organizations
- Six program coordinators supported delivery and wraparound supports to youth
- Youth contributed more than 3,500 community service hours
- 30 CityServe participants became certified in Mental Health First Aid
- 100% retention rate with program participants
- 90% average for all participants who completed their Cybersecurity training, demonstrating strong technical proficiency and commitment
- Seven City divisions and agencies hosted participants for City Day placements across various units and program areas:
- Parks & Recreation
- Social Development, Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit
- Social Development, Youth Development Unit – Youth Employment
- Social Development, Youth Development Unit – Youth Equity & Violence Prevention
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Community Economic Development
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation, iHelp Centre
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Program Development & Evaluation
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Violence Reduction Program
- Toronto Employment & Social Services, Dufferin Employment & Social Services
- Toronto Employment & Social Services, North York Employment & Social Services
- Toronto History Museums
- Toronto Zoo
- Transportation Services
Neighbourhoods Served
- Scarborough
- Jane and Finch
- Etobicoke
- Lawrence Heights-Neptune
- York South-Weston
Program and Participant Outcomes (2025 - 2026)
Strong and Sustained Youth Engagement
Youth consistently participated across cohorts, showing up in new civic and professional spaces including City Hall, community events, and City day placements. Engagement remained high throughout the program cycle, demonstrating trust, consistency, and commitment from participants.
Skills Development and Certifications
Participants developed skills and certifications in cybersecurity, robotics and 3D printing, STEM programming, mental health first aid and financial literacy. Participants improved their job readiness and employment skills and successfully completed Peace Project funding initiatives.
Community Impact
Youth contributed thousands of hours of service supporting food security initiatives, community outreach and programming, mental health workshops and Black mental health presentations, seasonal events and neighborhood-based supports, youth-led workshops and peer programming.
Youth Leadership and Civic Participation
Participants stepped into leadership roles by:
- Co-facilitating workshops and peer programming
- Launching youth-led initiatives (e.g., mentorship, basketball, weekend programming and hosting a March Break event)
- Supporting peers across cohorts and neighbourhoods
- Participating in City budget deputations and civic learning experiences
- Mentoring younger youth and community members
- Leading a youth employment workshop and service information fairs in partnership with Toronto Community Housing, Toronto Police (Community Connect), and Tropicana Community Services.
Pathways to Employment and Opportunity
Youth progressed from training into:
- City Day placements across City divisions and community organizations
- Job shadowing in fields such as plumbing, film production and community services
- Partnerships with organizations such as The Remix Project
- Emerging connections to entrepreneurship and sector-specific networks
- Youth progressed from training to City Day placements, job shadowing, and career exploration, and mentorship with growing confidence, professionalism, and readiness for work
Youth Impacts
Positive impacts for participants include:
- Youth transitioning from justice system involvement into structured employment pathways and obtaining real-world experience
- Youth building confidence and long-term goals, including trades and post-secondary pathways
- Youth obtaining G1 licenses or saving for major purchases
- Youth developing and leading community initiatives in their own neighbourhoods
- Forming strong peer networks across communities, creating lasting support systems
- Growth in confidence and self-belief, as youth who who were initially unsure of their abilities are now completing advanced technical projects, contributing ideas, and stepping into new environments with confidence
- Youth eager to pursue a career with the City by exploring the City day placement
- Increased motivation to complete remaining high school credits, co-op requirements and post-secondary education
Community Safety Impacts
The program contributes to community safety by:
- Providing structured, supervised and meaningful opportunities for youth
- Creating safe, supportive spaces for engagement and development
- Strengthening positive peer relationships and mentorship networks
- Reducing barriers to employment and increasing long-term opportunity
- Planning events for neighbourhoods from a community safety perspective
Youth look forward to giving back more to their community and applying what they’ve learned through their experience in the program. They are inspired by being in City spaces like City Hall and supporting youth-focused initiatives.
