| About |
| Mission & Vision |
| We are committed to empowering and developing Tamil youth by utilizing the principles of research, education, partnership, advocacy, assistance, and empowerment. |
Our Approach |
To date, the organization has initiated a variety of programs, projects, and services that are based on the principles of our mission statement.
Research
A survey of high school Tamil students as well as interviews of youth was conducted and culminated in a paper entitled Toronto Tamil Youth: The Realities, released in 2000. Since then, the organization has actively researched challenges faced by youth and resolutions through on-going outreach efforts.
Education
Education programs are developed and delivered to youth, parents, school boards, and community partners to raise awareness of challenges faced by Tamil youth.
Partnership
CanTYD works actively with school boards, funders, non-profit organizations, and community organizations to learn and provide services to youth.
Advocacy
CanTYD advocates as the voice of Tamil youth, raising community concerns, publicly discussing youth issues, and gaining the support of government and school board officials on policy issues that affect youth.
Assistance
Staff members and volunteers provide outreach services at various schools within the GTA. In addition, CanTYD connects the community to existing resources available to serve their needs.
Empowerment
CanTYD creates an environment that is conducive to self-directed growth by keeping youth at the forefront of all initiatives. The organization strives to provide youth with the tools and services necessary to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams. |
History of CanTYD |
A single bullet escaping the barrel of a gun is enough to take away a valuable life, a life full of hope and opportunity. Kapilan Palasandiran, a first year Physics student at the University at Waterloo, whose death came at the hands of random violence, shook us all. To all of us who were contemplating on doing something to help youngsters and prevent the Tamil community from being labeled as criminals, it was this catalyst that spurred the formation of CanTYD.
On February 15, 1998, 17 Tamil college and university students and graduates got together and decided to do something in order to empower and develop our youth to become successful, contributing citizens of Canadian society. Hence, Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre (CanTYD), was born. CanTYD was formed to address the real needs of Tamil youth as they integrate in Canadian society.
CanTYD has made inroads into the Tamil community building partnerships with other communities. The main focus of CanTYD's work revolves around working with the Toronto District School Board and the Police Services. Our partnerships with these organizations has given Tamil youth a voice on critical issues affecting them. It has allowed CanTYD to develop relevant programs that help to empower our youth. Project T.H.A.M.I.L., for example, enables CanTYD to work with at-risk youth.
Another initiative of CanTYD, Awards of Excellence, seeks to motivate and inspire youth to achieve their potential, by recognizing the achievements of Tamil high school youth and provide role models. These are a few of the invaluable programs that CanTYD offers.
Since 1998, CanTYD has grown from a 17-member organization to a centre with more than 300 volunteers. With the tremendous support of the community at large, CanTYD is continuing to succeed in our mission. |
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