Learn more about available programs and services for youth this summer.

 

As summer approaches, the City of Toronto is committed to making it a safe, engaging, and positive season for everyone—especially youth. We know that with school out, fewer structured activities, and more people outdoors, the risk of violence can increase. That’s why we’re taking a targeted, place-based approach to community safety.

The Summer Safety Plan focuses on resources where and when they’re most needed—expanding access to safe spaces, supporting local events, and increasing youth engagement programs in key areas across the city. This plan brings together a wide range of programs and services for youth designed to support violence prevention, intervention, response and recovery. Whether it’s sports and arts, job training, mental health supports, or extended hours at community hubs—you’ll find it here.

Join us in working to prevent violence before it starts and ensure that Toronto’s youth have every opportunity to thrive this summer.

The Summer Safety Plan organizes programs and services into eight key categories to make it easier for youth, families, and communities to find what they are looking for:

Civic & Community Engagement

Initiatives that empower youth to take an active role in their communities.

Life & Social Skills

Workshops and programs to help youth develop strong communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.

Employability and Leadership

Summer jobs, career training, and financial literacy programs to help youth gain work experience, explore career paths, and build economic stability.

Physical Health & Mental Wellbeing

Access to trauma-informed mental health resources, peer-led support programs, and physical wellness activities for youth.

Violence Prevention & Intervention

Resources for at-risk youth on community policing initiatives that focus on trust and relationship-building rather than enforcement.

Support for Parents, Caregivers and Families

Resources for parents and caregivers to better support youth, including workshops on youth safety and mental health, positive parenting, and conflict resolution.

Grants and Funding Opportunities

If youth are looking to start a community project, launch a youth-led initiative, or expand a local safety program, this section connects youth with grants and funding opportunities.

Safer Spaces

Find drop-in programs and other spaces where young people can gather, create, and connect in a safe and supportive environment.

Events and activities are being held throughout the summer that empower youth and their families to take an active role in their communities. Events are refreshed as needed, please check back on this page.

Want to learn more about your neighbourhood? Use the Find Your Neighbourhood map. It helps residents figure out which of Toronto’s 158 neighbourhoods you live in.

All events are drop-in; no registration is required. For more information, please inquire with the contact listed.

Summer Youth Events
Name Location Neighbourhood Date & Time Contact Details
31 Division Open House 31 Division, 40 Norfinch Dr. Black Creek June 14, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sergeant Filippin, 416-209-6082
Safe Play BBQ Shoreham Park, 2 Shoreham Ct. Black Creek September 25, 4 to 7 p.m. Sergeant Filippin, 416-209-6083
Event to Commemorate the National Day Against Gun Violence 24 Freeland St. Black Creek June 7, noon to 5 p.m. David Mitchell; dmitchell@yaaace.com
National Day Against Gun Violence Peace Garden, Nathan Phillips Square City Wide June 6, 9 a.m. Scerena Officer, scerena.officer@toronto.ca
IMPACT ‘n Communities Annual Summer Barbeque 4301 Kingston Rd. West Hill August 22, 4 to 7 p.m. Soul-R Damon, impactncommunties@hotmail.com
Lunch & Shooting Stars Scarborough Basketball Outting Pan Am Centre, 875 Morningside Ave. West Hill June 22, noon to 6 p.m. Tara Muldoon, tara@thefyouproject.com
Shooting Stars Scarborough Basketball Day trip to Hamilton Meridian Centre, 5040 Yonge St. West Hill July 20, noon to 7 p.m. Tara Muldoon, tara@thefyouproject.com
Lunch & Shooting Stars Scarborough Basketball Outing Pan Am Centre, 875 Morningside Ave. West Hill August 10, noon to 6 p.m. Tara Muldoon, tara@thefyouproject.com
Kick Up! 401 Richmond St. W. West Hill June 27, 4 to 8 p.m. Tara Muldoon, tara@thefyouproject.com
Pathways to Education 402 Richmond St. W.  Golfdale – Cedarbrae – Woburn August 29, 5 to 8 p.m. Tara Muldoon, tara@thefyouproject.com
Know your Rights! 403 Richmond St. W.  Golfdale – Cedarbrae – Woburn July 25, 5 to 8 p.m. Tara Muldoon, tara@thefyouproject.com
42 Division Open House 42 Division, 242 Milner Ave. Malvern East June 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brian Urkosk, 99990@tps.ca
Junior Carnival Neilson Park, 1555 Neilson Rd. Malvern East July 19, all day event Brian Urkosk, 99990@tps.ca
Honda Indy Toronto- Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd. Malvern East July 19, 5 to 9 p.m. Brian Urkosk, 99990@tps.ca
12 Division Fun Day 12 Division, 200 Trethewey Dr. Beechborough – Greenbrook June 25, 1 p.m. Barbara Spyropoulos, 416-246-0363 and Brian Davy, 416-808-1227
St. Matthew’s School- End of Year Celebration for Students 18 Lavender Rd. Rockcliffe – Smythe June 5, 5 p.m. Paul DiNizio, 416-393-5240
St. John the Evangelist-End of Year Celebration for Students 23 George St. Weston June 11, 5:30 p.m. Antonietta Grossi, 416-393-5244
Community Environment Day Amesbury Arena, 155 Culford Rd. Rustic July 12, 10 a.m. Councillor Nunziata, 416-392-4091
Hoops & Harmony Lawrence Heights Community Centre, 5 Replin Rd. Englemount – Lawrence August 29, 1 to 7 p.m.  Bianka Dunn-Cupid, 416-418-6187
Regent Park Summer Safety Jam Big Park in Regent Park, 620 Dundas St. E. Regent Park June 14, all day event Instagram, @TorontoHousing
Regent Park OUT LOUD Block Party Regent Park, 620 Dundas St. E. Regent Park June 13, 4 to 10 p.m. Social Media, @regentparkoutloud
Community Environment Day Regent Park Open Space & Playground, 620 Dundas St. E. Regent Park July 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sherwin Lau, Sherwin.Lau@toronto.ca
Acces Employment/VRP Employment Job Fair 30 Okra Tomar Cres. Flemingdon Park July 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ahmed Yassin, ayassin@accesemployment.ca
Jermaine Chung, jchung@accesemployment.ca
Zena Bruce – Appiah, zena.bruce-appiah@torontohousing.ca
Andrew Cox, acox@torontohousing.ca
Flemingdon Youth Connect Event 4 Vendome Pl. Flemingdon Park August 22, 2 to 4 p.m. Zena Bruce – Appiah, zena.bruce-appiah@torontohousing.ca
Omar Khan, omar.khan@gmail.com
Hoop Dream 3-on-3 Tournament Falstaff Recreation Centre, 50 Falstaff Ave. Jane and Falstaff June 7, all day event Jermal Humphrey, Jermal.Humphrey@toronto.ca
Second Annual Kings of the court basketball tournament Tait McKenzie Gym at York University, 1 Thompson Rd. Black Creek August 28, all day event Courtney Quarrie, 437-331-1837
TechControl:Understanding A.I.  Unit 213- 885 Progeess Ave.  Golfdale – Cedarbrae – Woburn August 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Andrew, andrew@thefyouproject.com
National Indigenous People’s Day 31 Tapscott Rd. Unit 76B Malvern East June 21, noon to 5 p.m Katie Dewling, Kdewling@nativechild.org
Show Love Scarborough Festival 1250 Markham Road Woburn North June 21, 2 to 6 p.m. Andrew Ramalingam, aramalingam@globalkingdom.ca

Summer is the perfect time to connect, celebrate, and build stronger communities! Whether you are organizing a block party, a youth gathering, a cultural celebration, or a community safety event, this guide offers tips and considerations to help you navigate the process smoothly.  

Planning A Local Event

Before you start:

  • What is the goal of this event? (Fun, awareness, fundraising, engagement?) 
  • Who is your audience? (Youth, families, the whole neighborhood?) 
  • What space do you need? (Park, community centre, closed street?) 
  • Do you need partnerships and/or funding? (Local businesses, City agencies, non-profits?) 
  • How will you make the event enjoyable and accessible for everyone? (Accessible spaces, low or no cost activities, multiple languages?) 

Use these answers to shape your event plan and ensure a smooth process. 

Permits & Approvals

Some events may require permits from the City.  Event organizers are encouraged to visit Guidance for Planning Events in Toronto to assist with planning your special event in Toronto and link to relevant contacts, checklists, required forms and guides.

Safety Planning

Ensuring a safe environment is key to a successful event. It is important to understand the policy and procedures for the setting that your event is in, including the relevant fire safety and emergency protocols.  

The Toronto Police Service can also be a resource for community safety planning and advice.  To find and contact your local police division, visit: My Neighbourhood.

For help connecting to local community organizations, safety networks, resources and funding opportunities, reach out to the City of Toronto’s Community Development Officers to support your planning and ensure your summer gatherings are safe and successful

Example 1:

A group of residents is organizing a local block party to get to know their neighbours. They wish to close a side street, put up some inflatable bouncy castles, have a BBQ, and perhaps invite police and fire to provide community information.

Based on this information, the group would be required to: 

Step 1: Obtain Street Event Permit

  • Obtain a Transportation – Temporary Street Closure Permit
  • Create a site map of the proposed street and activities for submission with your application.
  • If required by Toronto Transportation, submit a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) for closure that may impact vehicular traffic or building access.
  • Submit an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), which is required by the City’s Office of Emergency Management.
  • Provide a Certificate of Insurance to facilitate the Street Closure.

Step 2: Notify impacted residents and business of the street closure

  • Provide potential street closure signs and road barricades, depending on the nature of the street.

Step 3: Complete an Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Step 4: Obtain Street Event Permit

Step 5: Contact your local Toronto Police Division – Community Response Unit or Neighbourhood Community Office about an appearance.

  • Contact the Toronto Police Paid Duty office to book any Paid Duty officers that may be required for road closures.

Note: Opening a new client account usually requires a minimum of 2 weeks, and full payment must be made in advance.

Don’t know your neighbourhood? Find it here: My Neighbourhood

 

Example 2:

A local soccer club wishes to host a tournament and end of season party in their local park. They wish to erect a small stage for entertainment and serve food.

Based on this information, the group would be required to: 

Step 1: Obtain Special Event Permit in Parks & Recreation Centres

  • Obtain a Special Events Permit for a City of Toronto Park
  • Create a site map of the park, noting activities and structures, for submission with your application 
  • Potentially apply for a Building Permit if tent is over 60 sqm/600 sqf 
  • Provide a Certificate of Insurance to facilitate the Parks & Recreation permit and Toronto Building Services Permit 

Step 2: Contact the Toronto Police

  • Contact the Toronto Police Paid Duty office once you have received your Special Event Permit and consulted with Parks and Recreation to book any Paid Duty officers that may be required.
  • Be sure to also contact your local Toronto Police Division for their awareness. 

Step 3: Sound

  • If using amplified sound, contact Municipal Licensing and Standards and apply for a Noise By-law exemption (if required, based on hours of operations) 

Step 4: Obtain Street Event Permit

For general questions, please contact Event Support at eventsupport@toronto.ca or 416-395-0490. 

Tip: Start your permit applications early! Some approvals take a few weeks. 

Example 3:

A group of TCHC residents are planning to celebrate their neighbour’s birthday. They wish to invite everyone to their building’s community room for cake and refreshments.

Based on this information, the group would be required to: 

Step 1: Complete form

For questions about one-time use of space for community events, please contact the Use of Space team by emailing useofspace@torontohousing.ca or calling 416-981-5051. 

** Every effort has been made to ensure the accessibility of these documents. Due to the nature of the content, some pages may not be fully accessible.