CAYFO’s innovative programs strive to Engage, Inspire, Collaborate, Act, Support & Celebrate. CAYFO provides a wide range of services in the community through our programs. Browse through these and learn something new about CAYFO.

The Spirit of the Capital Youth Awards

Each year CAYFO celebrates and recognizes the talents and contributions of young people in our community at the annual Spirit Youth Awards. The purpose of the Spirit Awards is to promote a positive image of young people and to generate awareness of the value of contributions youth make in Ottawa.

Awards are presented to local youth, recognizing their contributions in the following eight categories:

Arts & Culture Award
Service & Caregiving Award
Entrepreneurship Award
Personal Courage Award
Academic Perseverance Award
Youth Athletes Award
Youth Philanthropist Award
Youth & Technology Award

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Tools 4 Schools

There's no limit to what a child can learn when equipped with the right school supplies. Tools 4 Schools was developed in the spring of 2000 by young people at CAYFO after local newspapers pointed out the need for school supplies for local school-aged kids. The lack of these necessary items was linked with low self-esteem and diminished school performance.

The Tools 4 Schools program collects the much needed school supplies through donations, a community wide drive and a corporate challenge in the months of July and August. Since 2000 CAYFO has given out over 16,000 backpacks to children and youth in need!

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Skates 4 Kids

Skates 4 Kids distributes donated new and gently used skates to underprivileged children and youth. Over the past 8 years, we have distributed over 12,000 skates to Ottawa youth. This year, Skates 4 Kids is also providing a limited supply of safety helmets with our skates! But this program doesn’t happen without you. Your donations of new or gently used skates, and new helmets, will help us to reach out to Ottawa’s young people.

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National Child's Day

CAYFO coordinates the annual National Child's Day program every November, a day of celebrations in honour of Canada's children and youth. In partnership with Senators Jim Munson, Terry Mercer and former Senator Landon Pearson, we fill the Canadian Senate with over 400 youth and give them a fun-filled morning of music, entertainment and moving speeches.

We hope to see you there this year!

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CJOYC: Be Heard

In existence since June 2006, Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) represents the voice of Ottawa’s Youth. CJOYC serves as a connector between the young people of the capital, and Ottawa City Council. Through our activities, the Commission solicits and the views and opinions of young people in Ottawa. Through updates to city council, regular reports, and a strong relationship to City Councilors, CJOYC is able to ensure that this voice is heard.

We encourage youth to be actively involved in the community to reach their fullest potential as a caring and contributing citizen. We believe young people can make the difference and that support of youth participation will help build a positive community. The CJOYC model is intended to encourage youth to speak up and voice their opinions on how to make Ottawa a better place for young people. CJOYC will provide opportunities for conversation with young people of Ottawa, youth serving agencies and City Councilors. It will generate information that is useful to municipal government, create awareness of youth accomplishments, and ensure that youth are viewed as a vital resource in matters affecting their communities.

BE HEARD! If you are a young person who has something to say, please fill out our online survey.

For more information on CJOYC and how to apply, please visit us!

CJOYC is funded by

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FYBY News

FYBY News is dedicated to providing a news outlet for youth created by youth in order to provide youth with the facts necessary to get involved and take action. We are doing this by airing TV formatted week long segments to air once a month during the school year in five local schools, Colonel By, John McCrae Secondary School, Immaculata, Ashbury Collegiate, and Woodroffe High School.

We believe in empowering and engaging young people. We truly believe in our “For Youth by Youth” philosophy and one of the most important tasks we aim to accomplish is to connect youth with organizations that work in their areas of passion. Our broadcasts are not simply designed to tell a story, but to stir up youth to get up and take action.

For more information, please visit us!

FYBY News is powered by

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Ottawa Youth for Change

Ottawa Youth For Change is a project designed to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and support to carry out international projects within their communities.

Ottawa Youth For Change consists of an annual conference on issues relating to poverty and hunger and aims to inspire youth to undertake an initiative to help out and make a positive contribution on a global level. It is an empowering opportunity turn creative ideas into action and meet other young people who want to do the same. It is geared toward Ottawa High School students and plans to inspire and engage them to create socially responsible and international development projects that make a difference.

Click here for information on the current Youth for Change conference.

If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact keri.abella@cayfo.ca

Ottawa Youth for Change is funded by the

Canadian International Development Agency

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