Youth Centre for Excellence
A place where diverse youth belong, grow, lead, and thrive.
We understand that a strong start shapes a strong future. The Youth Centre for Excellence is a welcoming, youth-driven space designed to empower youth from diverse cultural backgrounds to discover their strengths, expand their opportunities, and build meaningful connections in their community.
YCE is more than a centre, it’s a community where youth belong, create and lead with purpose.
Youth Leadership Initiative
Providing youth with opportunities for community engagement, empowering them to address issues relevant to their lives and interests.
The Crew of Young Thinkers
Inspired by Philosophy for Children and offered in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Philosophy, this program helps children from diverse communities build reasoning and critical-thinking skills in multicultural settings.
Peer Leader Training
A series of workshops and training sessions for selected youth in schools, empowering and equipping them with the tools to support their newcomer peers in various ways.
Campus Companion
A mentorship program for newcomer students in Grades 11 and 12 as they begin to navigate the transition from high school to post-secondary education and beyond.
Youth Employment Connections
Supports young people in developing soft skills, building confidence, and connecting with local employers.
Youth for Excellence Projects
Provides opportunities for youth to participate in educational activities and research through projects such as Chemical Safety for Newcomer Youth. The example program supports youth ages 14–29 in learning about chemical safety, developing leadership skills, and obtaining safety certificates.
Youth Volunteer Connection
Provides volunteer placement opportunities for newcomer youth between the ages of 16 and 21 to participate in various community events and activities.
Indigenous Education and Activities for Youth
Builds understanding and genuine connections with Indigenous cultures and communities through participation in relevant community events and activities.
Youth Study Group
An after-school drop-in academic tutoring program for newcomer youth, designed to improve youth academic performance and coursework with the support of university volunteers.
Youth Hosting Youth Program
A high school program that connects and pairs Canadian and Newcomer youth to share experiences and celebrate their cultures during lunch hours at selected high schools in Saskatoon.
School Buddy Program
Newcomer children in elementary schools are paired with Canadian children to form new friendships and support a smooth transition through school-based activities.
Refugee Youth Language Program
A program designed to support English language improvement among refugee youth throughout the school year.
Youth Sports Training and Activities
Provides sports and athletic activities for youth of all ages, including swimming, soccer, long-distance running, and many others.
Youth Empowerment Workshops
Various workshops and educational activities (i.e.: woodworking, writing, Theater and performance, public speaking) designed to help participants develop practical and artistic skills, build confidence, and establish long-lasting social connections.
Art Therapy Program
Activities designed by licensed art therapists to help immigrant children and youth process feelings related to past difficult experiences.
Digital Storytelling
Participants learn how to create digital media productions through scripting, filming, and editing while expressing their thoughts and feelings through digital filmmaking.
Summer Activities for Youth
Youth ages 10–18 can participate in a wide range of recreational and educational summer activities, including basketball, soccer, swimming, and more.
SSWIS Summer Camps
New immigrant and refugee children ages 6–10 participate in educational and recreational activities during summer breaks.
Youth Summit, Activities, and Field Trips
Provides opportunities for youth to participate in and organize youth-focused events, including the SODS Annual Youth Summit, field trips, and other community activities.
Youth Creative Connections
Provides opportunities for youth to participate in community art projects that allow them to express themselves while celebrating their connections with the broader local community.