Whether it was during my elementary of high school years, the longest month of the year was June - it seemed to take forever for school to end and the summer holidays to begin! READ MORE>

One of the beautiful things about Youth Unlimited is its commitment to providing an entrepreneurial environment. Creative, competent, and courageous leaders are encouraged to birth dreams and take appropriate risks in moving the vision ahead, trusting God for everything. READ MORE>

My first memory of Youth For Christ was going skating on a pond that was part of the Stouffville YFC Youth Centre before heading inside for food and the evening program. For a young teen it was a magical sight... READ MORE>

YFC has been actively involved in the Jane-Finch community for many years. My good friend Ron Nikkel (currently President/CEO, Prison Fellowship International) started a boy's floor hockey club and camping ministry there in the mid 70's and toady I'm blessed to have an individual on my Leadership Team who met Christ through that group. READ MORE>

It was a great night to be a Canadian. For an entire year media had reminded us that no Canadian had ever won an Olympic gold medal on our own home soil. READ MORE>

'Koinonia' is the Anglicization of a Greek word used frequently in the new Testament of the Bible to describe the relationship within the early Christian church as well as the act of break bread in the manner which Christ prescribed during the Passover meal. READ MORE >

A long time back while I was doing my undergrad degree in Winnipeg, I had been asked by the YFC Chapter there to develop an outreach program to some youth gangs in the north end of town. READ MORE>

"Spare change - for my friend on the next block. He's going home." In over 20 years of street work, I had never seen a sign like this. READ MORE>

"I think it's rude!" She was speaking emphatically. Kara had once been a fairly regular part of my ministry groups. Now she was a teen mom and had stopped coming around. READ MORE>

For the past two years, I've been volunteering at Pape Youth Centre, located in Calvary Church. This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to deepen my relationships with the kids because we decided to keep things going for them between June and September. READ MORE>

I grew up in a home where the "protestant work ethic" was alive and well! My parents believed strongly that work was a good thing and that if I wanted certain things in life beyond what my meager allowance could provide, then I needed to find the financial means to make it happen. READ MORE>

For many, the 1960's are often remembered as a time of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. In many ways, it was a time of extremes and self-indulgence but it was also a time for self-exploration and finding meaning and purpose in life. READ MORE>

In my youth, a sure sign that the summer was over and school was about to begin was the opening of the Canadian National Exhibition. Soon it would be back to the routine of going to classes, fulfilling homework requirements, and writing essays, tests and exams. READ MORE>

In the course of their busy lives and many commitments, millions of Canadians make a conscious effort to contribute to others and their communities through charitable giving, volunteering their time to charitable and nonprofit organizations and by helping individuals directly on their own. READ MORE>

My best friend in grade one was Tommy. He came from "the other side of the tracks." He lived with his parents in a tiny apartment attached to a corner confectionary store. READ MORE>

I can remember 35 years ago when I first began working with "juvenile offenders" in the city of Winnipeg. It was a shock to my understanding of life coming from a comfortable, safe home and an environment where the young were protected from knowledge of violence. READ MORE>

Many of us have fond memories of our own camping experience whether it occured in a day camp in the city or in a resident camp in some wilderness environment. Deep inside us there is this feeling that says "there's nothing like camp"! READ MORE>

I have fond memories of our family dinner hour. Beyond the warmth and security of being part of a loving family where basic needs were met, came the opportunity of sharing our daily stories. READ MORE>

I am amazed just how quickly a couple of hours can disappear when surfing the net. There are simply so many interesting avenues to explore. The whole world opens up to one within seconds. READ MORE>

I have been a serious student of youth culture for over 30 years. I read everything I can that relates to the world of young people, both popular and academic. Each generation has been thoroughly researched, analyzed, and described. READ MORE>

One of the major tasks that I faced as I took on the leadership of Toronto YFC was building a solid donor base. As I met new and existing supporters, they would often ask me what my vision was for our ministry. READ MORE>

I remember the days when school was considered a safe and positive environment for students. Significant learning happened in decent-sized classes in which teachers enjoyed good interaction with their pupils. READ MORE>

When I was growing up, life in my neighbourhood was much different than is the case in many of our communities today. READ MORE>

How can we possibly hope to reach the half million teenagers who live throughout the GTA? As Youth Unlimited pursues God's call, we seek to reach kids both through city-wide outreach and through smaller, community-based outreach. READ MORE>

For over 25 years, I have been doing my best to try to help adults learn how to work with youth. One central theme has been that we can't do effective youth work if we don't do significant family ministry. READ MORE>

I grew up in a home where words like devotions and prayer were as familiar and as daily as were food and sleep. While these times around the kitchen table often seemed to get in the way of more important things like sports and being out with friends, I realize now that they were moments of significant teaching and instilling of values and practices that guide my life to this day. READ MORE>

For most of you, when you hear the word "baseball" you probably think of the Blue Jays, the World Series, or even hotdogs. For me, the word "Dodgers" comes immediately to mind. READ MORE>

A successful CEO once commented to me that there were many reasons for the success of his business but at the heart of it all were his people - competent leaders who believed in the mission and were committed to its stated goals. READ MORE>

For over half a century, Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC) has been reaching out and caring for Toronto's youth from every culture and walk of life. READ MORE>

When is it rude to look directly into someone's eyes? When is it fitting to give a gift? It all depends on a person's roots. READ MORE>

During the past year, Youth Unlimited has created a strategic vision for reaching out to the youth of the G.T.A. with the Good News of the Gospel. READ MORE>

What do you see? You are in a mall, weaving your way through the crowd of shoppers, intent on your purpose and aware of the time as you glance down at your watch. When you look up once again, you nearly walk into a teenage girl who has just crossed your path, pushing a stroller while gripping the hand of a straggling toddler. READ MORE>

It has been nearly a year since I came to Youth Unlimited as its Executive Director. It has been a time of assessment, visioning, and planning for the future. READ MORE>

Majka is filled with mixed emotions. She is really excited about entering grade 9 at her all-girls school in Toronto but still worries about the stress she feels to look good. READ MORE>

It seems the life of today's young people is lived out as much in the virtual world as it is in the real world. READ MORE>

Melissa has never known a time when she and her friends, both male and female, didn't greet each other with hugs. "I didn't know hugging was a new thing. I assumed it was something my parents did as well." The truth is that a hug is the new "hi" to this generation of young people. READ MORE>

In a culture as obsessed as ours is with celebrity and appearance, it is hard to believe there actually was a time when famous actors and singers hid their flaws for fear of being ostracized by Hollywood. READ MORE>

Kids have always been interested in sex. It's everywhere. They are growing up in a culture that glorifies sexiness and lack of restraint. Modesty is out and pushing the boundaries of decency is in. READ MORE>

The New “At-Risk” Child. If material things really make us happy, this generation of young people should be the most elated group on planet earth. READ MORE >

Girls With Fists. Victoria Lindsay had no idea what she was in for. The 16-year-old cheer leader was lured to a friend’s house were she was savagely beaten for over 30 minutes. It made international headlines. The six girls attacking her were taping it. They had intended to post the footage on YouTube. READ MORE >

Trying to find good news and trends in youth culture is often a challenge. Although life still provides plenty of challenges for Canada's young people, there are signs of change. READ MORE>

If you haven't noticed, birthday parties are getting more expensive. It used to be that a few hotdogs, pop, cake, loot bags, and some simple games would do. However, as with most things in our culture, extremism is the latest trend. READ MORE>

When Marshall McLuhan penned his famous "the media is the message" he had no idea what life would be like over 40 years later. READ MORE

We know that media icons, and pop singers in particular, always get fingered for the bad things in today's world of youth. Concerned with negative messages, parents are always on guard agains whatever the pop culture throws their way. READ MORE>

Type the word “poker” into a Yahoo search engine and you’ll come up with an astonishing 206 million pages (up 400% in the last 6 months.) This is just one simple indicator of the rising fascination with cards and other forms of gambling. And who is the fastest growing segment in this market? Teenage boys – some of them in your neighbourhood, perhaps even your family. READ MORE>

In 1950, Canadian author Roberston Davies opined, "One of the really notable achievements of the 20th century has been to make the young old before their time." If kids were "old" before their time six decades ago, they are absolutely "ancient" in our day. READ MORE>

Growing up with alcoholic parents left Sarah with little guidance on the important issues of life. As she looks back on her adolescence, she concludes that she was raised mainly y the media. READ MORE>

A considerable number of parents feel that parenting is no longer a natural activity. It has become become arduous and without reward for many. Kids seem to be spinning out of control with little or no explanation. READ MORE>

In October 1759, famed French philosopher Denis Diderot wrote to his young friend Sophie Volland the poignant words "you all die at 15." Diderot was describing what it meant to be passing through, what in those days, was known as early adulthood. READ MORE>

When you look at this picture, it's hard to believe that I was ever that young or ever that small. It seems like light years ago but I can still remember sitting on the stone fence in front of my grandmother's house with my new air rifle. READ MORE>

One of the most insightful journeys a person can make into the realm of adolescent culture is an examination of teen magazines. READ MORE>

The picture on Sarah's back is much more than a tattoo. It is the very story of how she views the world and the God who may or may not control it. READ MORE>

I recently attended the 30th year reunion for my high school graduation. Needless to say, it was a frightening experience. READ MORE>