YAAACE's Social Inclusion Strategy

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 Y.A.A.A.C.E’s social inclusion strategy is a socio-mechanism co-constructed by a team professionals across different sectors and community members with established trust and rapport with the Jane and Finch community. The objective of the social inclusion strategy is to mitigate the risk factors serving as barriers to students and families achieving to their full potential.

The program provides continuity of care through year-round programming (academics, athletics, recreation, technology and the arts), measured and evaluated through research. 

The components of the operational framework are as follows: 

1. Community Outreach and Wraparound – Identifying children and youth who would benefit most from our programming and provide comprehensive prevention and intervention supports for them and their families in affordable and accessible ways.
2. The Arts, Athletics and Expanded Opportunities – Providing children and youth access to structured, quality programming in arts, athletics, and expanded opportunities with little to no cost. 
3. Academic Intervention & Support -  Engaging children and youth academically through  through the Community School Initiative., March Break Camp, and the Summer Institute, with a focus on minimizing the opportunity gap in the Jane and Finch community.
4. Research and Curriculum Development: Working in partnerships with other stakeholders to develop and create socio-culturally relevant curriculum content and pedagogies.  Programs are evaluated and assessed to track improvement in students and identify strengths and areas for improvement.
5. Apprenticeship, Internship, and the Trades
6. Public Safety and Youth Violence Prevention - Collaborating with multiple levels of government using the Public Health model to reduce risk factors associated with youth gravitating towards crime, gangs, and violence.   
7. Reflective Services and Cultural Consideration of Care - YAAACE hires professionals and community members with relevant skills, strengths, and lived experiences in relation to the needs of the families we serve and the systemic barriers they face.