Youth Addictions

The YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) is a collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Toronto and 18 local YMCAs, consisting of 19 Youth Outreach Workers (YOWs) across Ontario. The program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Goal: To implement a prevention and education program designed to raise youth awareness with regards to gambling, healthy/active living and making informed decisions. Approach:We do not make value judgments regarding gambling; rather, we see it as an activity that people may or may not engage in. Through harm reduction, we aim to support young people to make healthy decisions about gambling. We Serve: The program addresses the needs of youth ages 8 to 24 and people who influence and work with youth living in the province of Ontario. Services are free.