Education Programs
In addition to the educational programs we provide to Somali youth, SOYAT is involved in different programs with the schools in the Toronto area. It facilitates parent orientation sessions and homework clubs to assist the youth and children. The SOYAT homework club, which started in 1995, had assisted many students to improve their schoolwork, thus reducing the number of youth dropouts.

Annual Summer Camps
A greatly anticipated SOYAT recreational activity is the Summer Camp. SOYAT Summer Camp is an annual event. It began in 1992 and was continuously held during the summer of each year (except summer 2003) since its inception. One of the main goals of this activity is to bring the youth together and give them the opportunity to discuss and find solutions to their problems. The challenges facing our youth are numerous. How to preserve cultural values while integrating into the Canadian cultural mosaic is one of the most pressing questions facing our youth today. This event is participated by families, youth (boys and girls) and elders. The average number of participants in each year is about 100 people. These people come from Toronto and surrounding areas, sometimes as far away as Kitchener, and Ottawa.

The summer camp serves as a platform where our youth learn from each other’s experience and the expertise of various scholars. The programs are designed to address some of the problems/challenges facing our community; youth in particular. Guest speakers and lecturers are provided to equip these youth with the appropriate knowledge and insights to construct a bright future.

Information and Referral Services
Interpretation and Translation Services
Services are delivered in English and Somali. Also other languages such as Arabic, Swahili, and Italian are available.

Supportive Counseling
General counseling services, orientation, and guidance are offered mostly to newcomers youths, refugees, and immigrants. Normally, these individuals and families are referred to the appropriate service provider agencies. The general counseling services include social services, legal services, education, and other settlement issues.

Employment Services
SOYAT is active in youth training and employment. Each year several youth volunteers are offered training and summer jobs.

Recreation and Sports Activities for the Youth
Somali Youth Association of Toronto (SOYAT) is well known in the Somali community for its extensive involvement in shaping and illuminating the way to a positive future for many Somali youth in Toronto. Since its interception, SOYAT organized, participated, and contributed to many recreational events and programs for youth.

All recreational programs are designed to be ethical, educational and enjoyable.