A City-led path from service to work.
CityServe is a City of Toronto youth employment and community safety initiative for youth impacted by poverty, systemic racism, exclusion, community violence and justice involvement. Mayor Olivia Chow moved to create it at City Council in July 2025, through the Mayor's Youth Safety Task Force. In April 2026 the Mayor asked Executive Committee to expand it.
The model combines paid team-based community service, City Day placements in City divisions, mentorship, workforce-readiness training, civic engagement and mental health supports. Youth who complete the program can receive a transition stipend. Intake runs through five community delivery partners, one per area.
The Model
What the program brings together
Team-Based Community Service
Paid, team-based projects that serve the neighbourhood directly.
City Day Placements
Hands-on placements inside City of Toronto divisions.
Mentorship
Guidance and support from mentors through every cohort.
Workforce-Readiness Training
Skills and preparation for the next step into work.
Civic Engagement
Opportunities to lead, advocate and shape the community.
Mental Health Supports
Wraparound wellness supports available throughout.
Youth who complete the program can receive a transition stipend — a boost into their next step in work or education.
Cohorts
When youth take part.
Core Fall Cohort
- Dates
- Nov 2026 – May 2027
- Ages
- 16–24
- Hours
- 30 per week
- Length
- 30 weeks
Expanded Summer Cohort
- Dates
- Jul 6 – Aug 28, 2026
- Ages
- 14–18
- Hours
- 30 per week
- Length
- 8 weeks
YAAACE's Role
Anchoring delivery in Jane and Finch.
YAAACE is the City's listed CityServe partner for North York and anchors delivery in Jane and Finch. As delivery partner, YAAACE:
- 01
Recruits and enrols youth from Jane and Finch and surrounding North York communities.
- 02
Runs team-based community service projects in the neighbourhood.
- 03
Provides coordination, mentorship and wraparound supports through each cohort.
- 04
Connects youth to City Day placements and next-step employment and education pathways.