The Broadview Community Youth Group (BCYG) is a new not-for-profit, charitable organization created in partnership with Broadview Housing Co-operative. Using the Co-op as its home base, the aim of this new group is to provide programming for youth between the ages of 5 and 14. Initial plans call for the BCYG to operate three camps annually (Summer, Winter Holiday and March Break), as well as limited regular programming two days per week, with plans to expand to more programs and clubs over the next few years.
Membership will be broken down into three age groups: Primary (ages 5 and 6), Junior (7-9) and Senior (10-14). Teens will also be invited to participate in the group’s leadership training program and help as volunteers. Eventually, the BCYG plans to launch programs for Teens over 14.

Service Area

The BCYG will serve children and youth between the ages of 5 and 14 who live in the neighbourhoods of East York, the Danforth, and Riverdale, focusing primarily on the area north of Danforth Avenue. This area is home to approximately 50 000 people, of which roughly 6 000 are youth between the ages of 5 and 14 (2006 Census).

Location and Facilities

The BCYG is currently headquartered at the Broadview Housing Co-operative, located at 1050 Broadview Avenue. The primary facility will be the Co-op’s Common Room, which is located in the basement of the Co-op. The Common Room has a capacity of 100 people, and comes equipped with a kitchen, accessible washrooms and storage facilities. We also have our office there.

The Co-op has limited parking, but is fully accessible by the TTC. 4 different routes run past the facility, and it is also a 5-minute walk from Broadview Subway Station.

We also plan to permit other facilities in the immediate neighbourhood in order to accommodate our programs, including local schools and churches. Our goal for 2009 is to find and launch our own space to use for meetings, registrations, limited programming, and an office, with visibility to the public.

A Great Start

The BCYG is the only youth-oriented group of its kind within the area, which consists mostly of single-family homes and low-rise apartment buildings, with a large concentration of high-rise apartment buildings along Broadview and Cosburn Avenues, most of which contain mid- to low-income families. Our service area contains approximately 6 000 children and youth, yet most of the community centres, sports facilities and major parks are located outside of this area.

As a result, the BCYG fills a large void in the community, by organizing programs, activities and outings that will allow the youth of our community to benefit, develop various life skills, and achieve positive potential.

With a three successful camps under its belt, the path is now being laid for the BCYG to move forward in its goal to provide regular programming for the children and youth of the East York and Danforth communities.

Facility Photo Gallery

Here are some photos of our space at the Broadview Housing Co-operative...