About

Mission

Supporting marginalized Black youth, families, and community groups through wholistic social support, advocacy and community development in collaboration with government, private sector and community partners.

Vision

Black communities in Toronto and surrounding areas void of poverty and gun violence.

History

Black Youth Jobs was the title of our youth focused employment coaching service in 2009.

After quickly receiving support requests from parents, service providers, neighbourhood groups and more, the need to expand our mandate from youth and employment became clear.

BYJ Community Services was incorporated to strengthen accountability and sustainability, enabling us to build on our expanded services in areas of community development, workshop facilitation, frontline worker training, life skills coaching, and system navigation in education, housing and homelessness, employment and business, health and accessibility among other support areas.

Values

• Trust
• Community Development
• Empowerment

Executive Director

Through over 20 years of community service experience in various roles supporting diverse individuals in neighbourhoods around Toronto, Gerard’s leadership in system navigation, training, counselling, and advocacy helps shape BYJ Community Services’ unique approach. Building community through public education, skills development, partnership, and cultural support is at the root of his work.

“The excellence, growth, and connection from our communities keep me motivated. Playing my part in putting some puzzle pieces together is an honor.”

Gerard Meade, Founder

YORK UNIVERSITY RESEARCH & EVALUATION EXCHANGE

UWGT CITY LEADERS @ MARS DISCOVERY DISTRICT

Collaborators

Partnering with various stakeholders is integral to our service model.

"For over a decade, I have known Gerard to provide excellently curated resources to communities in areas of civic engagement, student jobs, violence prevention, and advocacy. "

Youth Minister
"BYJ knowledge of African Canadian community issues and supports and advocacy for addressing aspects of Anti-Black Racism through service and public education makes them the go-to service."

Social Assistance Caseworker
"We regularly refer individuals to BYJ for support with housing, employment, training, education, business start-up, culturally competent counselling, and gender-based mentoring."

Family Resources Worker

About

Mission

Vision

History

Values

• Trust• Community Development• Empowerment

Executive Director

“The excellence, growth, and connection from our communities keep me motivated. Playing my part in putting some puzzle pieces together is an honor.”

Collaborators

"For over a decade, I have known Gerard to provide excellently curated resources to communities in areas of civic engagement, student jobs, violence prevention, and advocacy. "

"BYJ knowledge of African Canadian community issues and supports and advocacy for addressing aspects of Anti-Black Racism through service and public education makes them the go-to service."

"We regularly refer individuals to BYJ for support with housing, employment, training, education, business start-up, culturally competent counselling, and gender-based mentoring."

BYJ Community Services

• Trust
• Community Development
• Empowerment