About Us
Learn about Youth Unlimited's vision, work, and impact across the Greater Toronto Area in this 4-minute video! We are all about transformed youth transforming our city.
Our Vision for Transformation
At YU, we imagine transformation as God at work as a compassionate artist, painting on the canvas of both lives and neighbourhoods over time. We envision the colour palette having YU’s 5 Transformative Colours, from which any combination of colours can be created. As we invest in youth wholeness in this context, we believe we will continue to see this ‘Canvas of Transformation’ come to life in young people, their families, and their neighbourhoods. This is transformed youth transforming our city.
Engaging Life with Jesus
As young people grow in their journey of faith, the roots of their identity grow down deeply into a firm foundation. We envision young people finding contentment, building a healthy self-image, depending on God, and finding forgiveness, freedom, and healing.
Growing in Virtue
In an increasingly connected world, we know character matters more than ever. Just like fruit in an orchard, God grows in our young people virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, humility, goodness, and gentleness. Young people with these virtues can truly change our world.
Seeking Reconciliation & Vibrant Community
We believe God is at work restoring and building every relationship in our lives. We aim to see young people act as bridge builders and participate in communities that nurture belonging, faith, and sacrificial love.
Putting Others First
We rejoice in seeing young people serve others, putting the needs of others before themselves. A mop and bucket symbolizes the humble acts of kindness we aim to nurture in our youth throughout the city. We believe our young people will discover lasting joy through a life of service for others.
Discovering & Utilizing Gifts & Abilities
We believe every one of us has been given specific gifts, skills, and passions through which we find confidence and purpose. When young people find their 'sweet spot', it renews a sense of hope and direction, and everyone around them benefits.
Our History
Youth Unlimited (originally Youth For Christ) was launched in 1944. Inspired by YFC rallies in Chicago, our roots in Toronto began with hosting large youth rallies at Massey Hall. These became some of the largest youth gatherings in the world at the time. Since then, YU’s entrepreneurial spirit has led us through a series of strategic shifts that clearly exemplifies our motto: “Anchored to the Rock but geared to the times.” Over the past 75 years our approach has developed to include weekly community clubs, proactive outreach programs, and neighbourhood-focused church partnerships.
Unique Programs for Unique Needs
Every demographic and community of young people has specific and unique needs that we seek to address. We always commit to contextualizing the hope we find in Jesus to foster the wholistic transformation of the youth we serve through our six program categories.
Community Outreach
Critical Care
Innovative Centres
Leadership Development
Marketplace Initiatives
Trips, Camps & Events
What If...
This is the big picture of what we believe God is inviting all of us into through our Graining Ground strategy from 2023 to 2027. Watch a compelling video showcasing our staff as they envision all that could be for our program, young people and city over the next four years.
Part of a National Movement
