OUR
HISTORY
Check Out How We’ve
Progressed Over The Years
First summer camp launched
Piloted their first Sports Youth Leadership March Break Camp called Gameday ran in Oakville for youth from ages 8 to 14 years old, 8 youth attended in one week. Parents asked if this was offered in the summer.
First School Program Launched
Piloted first school based programs and engaged 100 students in ongoing programs. Sports Youth Leadership Summer camp offered in Oakville called S.W.O.L.E. Youth were taught specific leadership skills: Self-respect, Work hard, Overcome adversity, Lead by example, and Excellence. Through sport and group activities youth made real changes in their homes (as per parent feedback).
2000 youth served
Continued to increase in providing school youth leadership programs, school-wide assemblies and S.W.O.L.E.™ summer camps. Over 2000 youth served in this year.
OVOT Incorporated as a Non-Profit Organization
One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization is incorporated as a Non-Profit organization. Applied for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to run programs in Peel and Halton regions. Over 5000 youths served.
Granted Funding for Leadership Programming in Peel and Halton
Granted funding by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to run youth leadership programming in Peel and Halton regions. Partnered with Sheridan College Child and Youth Worker program to facilitate students completing their program and gain work experience. Over 10,000 youths served.
Recognized by Ontario Ministry of Education as Student Success Program
Recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education as a student success program. S.W.O.L.E.™ Youth Leadership Summer Camps ran three summer camps in Toronto, Brampton, and Hamilton. Developed a character-based youth leadership curriculum for Middle Schools and High Schools and served 15,000 youths.
40 S.W.O.L.E.™ All Stars are brought to MW to participate in a special leadership training opportunity
Received Federal Charitable Status. Delivered youth leadership programming to 20,000 youth in Toronto, Hamilton, Peel, Halton, and Dufferin-Peel district school boards. S.W.O.L.E.™ programming was active in 7 high schools and 8 middle schools. Forty S.W.O.L.E.™ All-Stars are sent to Muskoka Woods for intense leadership training and a specialized summer camp experience. Fundraising dinner raised approximately $10K.
Five Youth sent to Under Developed Community in Copan Ruis, Honduras
Funded by the Ontario Trillium foundation to evaluate provincial expansion and undertake strategic planning. Also partnered with The Souls of The Feet organization and sent five youth to serve in a very underdeveloped community in Copan Ruis, Honduras. Served over 25,000 and growing.
Branched Out to Northern Quebec
The organization continues to serve youth, with a strong emphasis in middle schools. Over 35,000 students served in Toronto. The organization branched out to serve youth in Northern Quebec within the Cree community as well as at-risk youth in Chicago Illinois.
Received Harry Jerome Award for Community Service
OVOT partnered with PanAm Games, the Toronto Argonauts and David Suzuki Secondary School’s specialist high-skills major program and delivered programming that impacted Over 30,000 youth. Executive director receives Harry Jerome Award for Community Service.
Received National Youth Empowerment Award
OVOT partnered with KPMG, Seneca College’s Non-profit Leadership Program, and Endeavour Consulting. OVOT received the National Youth Empowerment Award.
S.W.O.L.E.™ All-Stars served in the community and take part in an Amazing Race
Hosted a fundraiser to raise over $30,000 dollars for youth leadership programming. 40 S.W.O.L.E.™ All-Stars served in the community feeding the homeless, working with Big Brother Big Sisters and participating in an Amazing Race.
Standout Students Hired to Lead Summer Camp Programs
Hired standout student participants from OVOT programming to lead summer camps in Brampton, Toronto and for the first time in Shelburne Ontario. Over 500 students engaged and served.
Partnered with PCF & Shorcan to raise funds for youth programming
Program Manager receives United Way award for work with young men in the black community. OVOT partners with the Pinball Clemons Foundation and Shorcan to raise over ($50,000) for youth leadership programming.
Executive Director speaks on uniting communities
Launch of first Virtual S.W.O.L.E.™ Summer Camp
OVOT Expansion to Manitoba
2022