Business Programs for Youth

The Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship offers a variety of opportunities for students and youth who are interested in starting their own businesses. For example, The Summer Company program provides hands-on business training and mentoring – together with awards of up to $3,000 – to help enterprising young people start up and run their own summer business. The Summer Experience Program makes summer positions available -- lasting up to seven weeks -- for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years (or up to 29 years for persons with disabilities). The individuals must be eligible to work in Canada and be residents of Ontario. Visit the Summer Experience Program website or call (416) 326-5656, or toll-free, 1-800-387-0777.

Victim's Support Line

The Victim's Support Line is a toll-free information line that provides victims of crime with access to a range of services:

1. An automated voice-tape, providing information on the criminal-justice system. Topics include:
2. Arrest and release procedures
3. The workings of the court system
4. Probation
5. Parole
6. Information about a specific adult offender, obtained from the Ontario Corrections Services or the Ontario Board of Parole
7. Direct access to a counsellor who can provide information about local organizations and services available to victims of crime, including sexual-assault services, counselling programs, and shelters.

Contact: Victim's Support Line
1-888-579-2888 or for referral in the Toronto area, call (416) 314-2447.

Young people, aged 20 or younger, can also call the Kids' Help Phone, at 1-800-668-6868. Or visit the Kids Help Phone website.

Women's Campus Safety

Since 1990, funding has been provided to colleges and universities to promote women's safety on campuses. Funding support is available for a variety of initiatives, including:

1. Establishing sexual harassment prevention policies
2. Improving the physical plants, and/or safety and security measures
3. Providing prevention/education activities.

Contact: Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Colleges: 416-325-7607
Universities: 416-325-2666