Weekend School
Initiative: Weekend School for Newcomer Turkish Learners
The Weekend School is designed to enhance the confidence, sense of belonging, and mental well-being of Turkish students in our community. It builds on the success of the Youth Academy, which was active during the 2019-2020 school year, fostering a culturally responsive, community-centered educational and social space.
Project Coordinator
This initiative is led by Ayse Yigit, a Community Partnership Developer for the Turkish community within the York Region District School Board, who generously volunteers her expertise to meet the community’s educational and cultural needs.
Our Mission
The objective of this initiative is to provide Turkish students with a supportive environment that meets both their social and cultural needs. We aim to ensure students feel valued and supported in all aspects of their identity and well-being by collaborating with local community organizations.
Youth Academy Overview
The Youth Academy began in September 2019 across three locations: Maple-Woodbridge, North York, and Markham. It transitioned to an online format in March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The program has supported approximately 275 students with the help of 35 volunteer teachers and 45 student volunteers.
Activities Offered
Our activities include a wide range of classes such as Tae-Kwon-Do, home-language instruction, academic guidance, arts (calligraphy and water marbling), mindfulness, and literacy programs focusing on traditional folklore.
Volunteer Leadership
The Youth Academy is operated by dedicated volunteers from the Turkish community. Current locations include: