Long-term support. Life-long impact.
Trails Youth Initiatives is a charitable organization dedicated to challenging and equipping vulnerable youth from at-risk areas of Toronto to become contributing members of the community.
Since 1992, Trails has worked with young people at a critical stage of life — beginning at age 12 — providing consistent mentorship, meaningful relationships, and experiential learning through a four-year outdoor education program, followed by ongoing support into adulthood.
Our belief is simple: lasting change takes time.
Please donate to Trails
What Is Trails?
A long-term approach where depth matters
Trails delivers a structured, four-year youth development program that combines outdoor education, small peer cohorts, and trusted adult mentorship. Participants attend a two-week summer program and one weekend each month throughout the school year, staying with the same group and staff for the full journey.
This consistency creates stability, belonging, and trust, especially for youth facing systemic barriers such as poverty, racism, family instability, and limited access to enrichment opportunities.
Trails doesn’t provide short-term programming. We make a long-term commitment to each young person we serve.
After graduating from the core program, participants become alumni and continue receiving support through For Life Initiatives, ensuring Trails’ impact extends well beyond adolescence.
Why This Work Matters
Early intervention, sustained support
Early adolescence is a pivotal developmental period. For youth facing barriers, this stage often determines whether they disengage from school and community or build the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to thrive.
Trails intervenes early and stays involved through the most formative years of development. By pairing outdoor experiential learning with mentorship and clear expectations, Trails helps young people develop self-confidence, strong relationships, and a sense of agency over their future.
The result is not just improved outcomes for individuals; but, stronger, healthier communities.
Support that continues into adulthood
For Life Initiatives
Trails’ commitment does not end after four years. Through For Life Initiatives, alumni receive ongoing support as they navigate high school completion, post-secondary education, careers, and adulthood.
This includes:
- A robust Scholarship Program supporting college, university, trades, certificates, and micro-credentials
- Mentorship and peer connection through alumni programming
- Career guidance, employment support, and emergency assistance
Together, these initiatives ensure that Trails alumni are supported not just to succeed — but to sustain that success.
Nothing About Us Without Us Philosophy
Youth voices matter
At Trails, those most affected by decisions help shape them. Youth, alumni, and staff voices are woven into program design, leadership, and decision-making, a commitment that has guided the organization from the start.
We engage our community in the following ways:
- Alumni representation on our Board of Directors
- Participant surveys twice each year
- Community meetings at the end of each session
- Intentional hiring of alumni and individuals with lived experience
- Role-specific training and support
By centering youth voice, Trails remains accountable, responsive, and relevant, and ensures our work evolves alongside the needs of the community.
Global Goals, Local Impact
Trails’ work aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, translating global priorities into meaningful, local action. Through long-term mentorship, education support, and pathways to employment and community contribution, our impact reflects a shared global commitment: ensuring young people have the opportunity, support, and agency to thrive through the following UN SDGs:
How You Can Help
Trails invests deeply in each participant to ensure access to meals, transportation, outdoor equipment, trained staff, and long-term mentorship, regardless of a family’s financial circumstances.
Your support makes this possible.
Philanthropic support allows Trails to:
- Maintain program quality
- Expand access to more youth
- Strengthen alumni support through scholarships and mentorship