Meet Adriana, the Newcomer Youth Programs Summer Assistant!

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is a Government of Canada program that helps young people (ages 15 to 30) gain valuable work experience, skills, and training to prepare for future careers. Delivered by Employment and Social Development Canada, the program provides wage subsidies so that not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and small businesses can create quality summer job opportunities for youth.

For youth, this program supports professional growth by providing meaningful, hands-on experience in community work. Participants gain skills in outreach, planning, program delivery, and evaluation, while also developing a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

This year, we offered two Canada Summer Job positions to support our Community Development and Newcomer Youth Programs.

Meet Adriana, the Newcomer Youth Program Summer Assistant!

Adriana was already a valued member of our After School Program Team, and with the summer off had decided to look for new ways she could get involved at NYCH. Given her experience and passion for working with children and youth, she was encouraged to apply for the Newcomer Youth Program Assistant position.

In July, Adriana’s role was split between two programs: the Summer Fun-O-Rama camp at our Ranee office, and the Youth Volleyball Program at the Lawrence Heights Community Centre. She supported daily operations, helped supervise activities and field trips, prepared snacks, and more. 

Summer Fun-O-Rama ending in August meant that Adriana’s duties shifted—she continued supporting the Youth Volleyball Program but transitioned into a more administrative role for other programs. She was also able to put her creative skills to use by producing videos to capture the camp highlights.

Throughout the summer, Adriana strengthened her digital creativity, organizational, and leadership skills—particularly through creating program videos, supporting program planning, and sharing ideas with the team. She also deepened her adaptability, communication, and teamwork skills: learning to adjust quickly when plans changed, tailoring communication for different age groups, and collaborating with a larger team to create engaging camp experiences. 

Adriana’s impact was felt across every program she supported. Having previously worked with NYCH as a placement student and ASP staff, she brought a deep understanding of the children, youth, and families we serve. This familiarity allowed her to build trust quickly, anticipate program needs, and contribute meaningfully to the success of the Jays Care Camp, Sports Camp, and Summer Fun-O-Rama. “What stood out about Adriana was how seamlessly she stepped into her role,” shared her manager, Elizabeth. “She not only brought valuable experience but also the initiative and creativity to engage participants and support our team in ways that truly elevated the summer programs.” 

“She not only brought valuable experience but also the initiative and creativity to engage participants and support our team in ways that truly elevated the summer programs.”

– Elizabeth, Youth and Family Programs Manager

Adriana especially enjoyed spending time with the children and youth, particularly during field trips, where she loved seeing their excitement and energy. “One moment I’ll remember from this summer is when we went to High Park and took the kids to the splash park. How they made me record each time the bucket of water fell on them, and us laughing together when rewatching the moment,” Adriana reflected. However, being able to capture the moments throughout the summer was the most enjoyable for her.

This summer experience gave Adriana a combined perspective of working with both children and youth, reaffirming her passion for supporting children while also being more open to working with older age groups. It also sparked a stronger interest in creative media, as she discovered how much she enjoys filming, editing, and exploring new ways to express her creativity.

Video edited by the NYCH Communications Team, with footage captured by Adriana.

For any youth who are thinking about applying to the Canada Summer Jobs program, Adriana says they should reflect on their core strengths and research the different job roles to find which best suits them when applying. “Apply early, become flexible, and always remember if you aren’t excited about what you’re applying for, then find one that does—because excitement is the fuel to doing your best authentically,” advises Adriana.

“Always remember if you aren’t excited about what you’re applying for, then find one that does—because excitement is the fuel to doing your best authentically.”

– Adriana