Levelling Up with Beat the Streets: Building Resiliency and Confidence in Low-Income Youth Through Sports Programs
Coaches Paul Raso & Andrew Tyson demonstrate boxing techniques in Level Up at Harbord Collegiate Institute, March 2023.
Beat the Streets is a charity dedicated to providing youth development and sports programs for low-income youth in schools and communities across the Greater Toronto Area. Our mission is to promote active and healthy lifestyles for all youth, building confidence and fostering physical literacy development through our programs. Since our inception, we have served over 28,000 youth, helping to create a brighter future for our communities.
Youth Development Programs for Low-Income Schools
“The best part of the program is being able to learn and experience doing different types of fighting techniques. Hearing things about our emotional well-being as well as teaching us discipline, was overall a great experience.”
In 2022, Beat the Street received funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to deliver 12 x Level Up Programs to 240 low-income youth. Level Up is a fun and dynamic resiliency-building program led by professional coaches and athletes. We use combat-based fitness activities to level up physical skills and experiential learning activities to level up the social-emotional skills of students ages 13-18 across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Through Level Up, we teach students the tools and growth mindset they need to constructively navigate adolescence, successfully transition to adulthood and realize their full potential.
Since September 2023, BTS has worked with schools like Harbord Collegiate Institute and Emery Collegiate Institute to deliver Level Up. As a result, we have served over 240 youth who have shared positive feedback about the program.
Sports Programs for Low-Income Youth
“One of the best programs I’ve ever been in. This program will help me in my adulthood.”
Resiliency-building programs combined with sports can have a powerful impact on low-income youth. Studies have shown that participation in sports can promote physical health, social skills, and self-esteem, which are especially important for youth in low-income communities. Our combat sports programs for youth provide a unique opportunity for young people to learn valuable skills such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance while staying active and having fun.
Building Confidence in Youth with Healthy Mind and Body Programs
“I learned to be disciplined. I also learned that if you do things that suck, you’ll ultimately get better, and it’s beneficial.”
Through our programs, we teach students the tools and growth mindset they need to constructively navigate adolescence, successfully transition to adulthood, and realize their full potential. By providing healthy mind and body programs, we help build youth confidence, which is crucial for their personal and academic success. By promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles, we are not only investing in the future of our youth but also the future of our communities.
“Amazing, learned a lot and gained a lot. Learned both boxing and life lessons”
Thank you Jumpstart Charities!
We would like to extend a special thank you to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for their continued support. Jumpstart is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment. It provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, Jumpstart has provided more than 2.7 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. We are grateful for their partnership in helping us create a brighter future for low-income youth in the GTA.
About Beat the Streets:
At Beat the Streets, our mission is to advance the education of low-income children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area through fun and unique sports, life skills, and employment-based development programs. Since 2015, we have served over 28,000 young individuals through our Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up, You Grow Girl, Work It (Summer Jobs), and Volunteer programs, providing them opportunities to develop their physical, mental, and social well-being. We believe in empowering the next generation by breaking down barriers and creating pathways to success.
Join us in our mission to impact youth:
Join us in making a difference by supporting our cause and learning more about how you can contribute to the education and growth of children and youth in need. Together, we can shape a brighter future for all.
