Youth Involvement Ontario (YIO) is a province wide organization of youth who advocate for full inclusion of youth with disabilities in their school and community. Wednesday Evening Bash (WEB) held in Barrie and Thursday Evening Event Night (TEEN) in Orillia are branches of YIO and are integrated social/recreational programs for teens. Activities include dances, sports activities, games nights, talk nights, informal get-togethers, along with fund raising events for the annual provincial YIO Conference. In Barrie, a Teen Committee plans and runs most activities, with backup and support provided by the agency’s Youth Workers. A small fee is charged for activities based in the community.
In addition, the youth workers have been instrumental in fostering small YIO groups or Circles of Friends in several Barrie high schools, and groups are beginning in Orillia.
Youth In Action (YIA) is a summer program for youth that combines recreation with community awareness, social skill and employment training. Social and work skills are learned through job placements, volunteer positions, and selected recreational activities, including two short camping trips. Registration for Youth In Action is weekly with a cost attached.
Youth Programs are funded by United Way, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Simcoe Community Services Foundation and governed by the Child and Family Services Act..