GOCSY: Guidance of Canadian Somali Youth Toronto is a registered non-profit and community-based ethnic organization working in Jane/Finch, Lawrence Heights and Etobicoke neighborhoods in Toronto.  We have been helping Somali-Canadian children and youth since the year 2002.  

GOCSY program delivers community-based sports, culture and art, recreation and physical activities which we believe it plays an important role in the community's progress and also contributing to the well-being and empowerment of individuals.

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The organization’s main aim is to reach teens/youth at risk and their families to provide hope, by organizing sports activities, especially soccer and basketball games combined with programs of violence prevention and leadership development which will improve the physical and mental health of the participating youth

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Our objectives are

 

• To organize many sports activities for these teens/youth that will improve physical and mental health.

• To increase the leadership skills and spirit of voluntarism among the Canadian Somali teens/youth.

• To reduce the physical and social isolation of the Canadian Somali teens/youth, by providing more chances to accessing community resources, recreational activities, and social support.

• To increase their knowledge base, and understanding, and respect for rules and their application.

• To increase self-esteem and sense of belonging among Canadian Somali teens/youth.

• To promote sports skill development opportunities for the Canadian Somali teens/youth

• To promote effective communication skills between teens/youth, and parents