Advancing education

Since 2015, BTS has served more than 28,300 low-income children and youth.

With our partner’s support, we have increased access to sports, skill-building and employment opportunities. Participants in our programs have improved their confidence and resilience and become more active.

 

Since 2020, we served 7,314 children & youth & encouraged:

  • 362 hours of social-emotional skill-building activities

  • 106 hours of mentoring opportunities

  • 750 hours of wrestling, boxing and kickboxing activities

  • 1,086 hours of employment training

  • 555 hours of volunteer opportunities

 

Success stories

Participant feedback

  • "I would like to say a big thanks to my mentors Coach Neal and Jessica. I am very grateful to have had such leaders guiding me through my first job! I loved the experience and would love to do it again next summer!"

    Participant, 2020

  • "I love this course and would love this to be a part of the curriculum."

    Participant, 2020

  • "The lessons really got me to think about my own life and things I am dealing with as well as goal I want to achieve."

    Participant, 2022

  • "It was really fun! All of the instructors were really nice and kind they also taught me how i can manage my stress and it was really fun with beat the streets. I am really looking forward for more lessons. It was great working with you guys. A huge thank you to you all"

    Participant, 2021

  • "I have learned some skills such as data management, design and my writing skills have improved significantly. I have also learned responsibilities such as time management, collaboration and to be accountable!" "

    Participant, 2020

  • "because of the things we discussed and the positive habits, I now complete my exercises instead of procrastinating"

    Participant, 2021

  • "This program taught me about self love, organization, time management, fitness and overall how to take care of myself - It was a wonderful learning experience"

    Participant, 2020

  • “I really enjoyed spending time with the wrestlers!!! They were really nice and Helpful. I wish i get another precious chance like this one to learn new things.”

    Participant, 2021

  • "I have learned to write blogs & newsletters, run a social media campaign, keep track of data. I have gained real digital communication skills."

    Participant, 2020

  • "I love how coach Neal addresses stress management and life skills, and the actions and behaviours required to achieve a goal"

    Participant, 2020

  • "Thank you so much for being so understanding and supportive ...I enjoy learning from you guys and working with you guys."

    Participant, 2020

  • "This was one of the best experiences ever. Thank you!"

    Participant, 2021

  • “Beat the Streets has helped me become a confident and more resilient person. I am now leaving this job feeling like I can achieve any goal if I try my best and never give up!”

    Participant, 2021

  • "The, resilience, relationships and think before you act, has really influenced me a lot. I am able to get up from my failures in a better way. Also, the think before you act (which I have been practicing a lot recently), has developed my patience, has improved my circumstances and has helped me do better as a person."

    Participant, 2020

  • "over this course I have learned lots, but my favourites were, the workouts, breathing and relaxation and time management because since the course I’ve got to actually apply them in real life."

    Participant, 2020

  • “This class was pretty helpful because you helped me control my stress at home”

    Participant, 2021

  • "One of the things I found most intriguing was the breathing. Wim Hof and coach Neal telling us to breath in difficult situations really helped me. Like coach Neal, I have a problem where in stressful situation I stop breathing and I didn’t notice it till now. Although, now I breath during difficult situations and I have noticed it really clams me down."

    Participant, 2021

  • "Through this program, I have seen a tremendous amount of growth in myself and my work. I am grateful to have had another opportunity to work for this wonderful charity!"

    Participant, 2021

  • "It was super duper fun! The exercises made me feel really good and the instructors were really kind and helping! The activities were really fun as well. Would like to do this again soon, it was awesome!"

    Participant, 2021

  • "As guys, we often feel that showing emotions is a sign of weakness, but in reality, it’s one of the strongest things a man can do. Just talking to someone about issues you have can resolve the feelings of anger or depression you may be facing. This was a very encouraging thing to hear Paul talk about, and I’m glad he addressed it."

    Participant, 2022

From 2015-2019 BTS:

Increased # of active youth in the GTA

  • Served 480 at-risk youth in after school wrestling programs & encouraged
    255 students wrestlers

  • Started 12 after school wrestling programs

  • Facilitated Coaching Certification for
    21 teachers

Encouraged academic achievement

  • Facilitated mentorships for 25 students

  • Provided 50 hours of tutoring

  • Awarded 2 scholarships

Increased employability skills

  • Served 35 students in summer jobs program

  • Provided 756 hours of work experience and skill-building opportunities

Teacher feedback

  • "Level Up is a very accessible program. It works on developing soft skills in students, such as: goal setting, personal responsibility, hard work and resiliency while introducing the practical skills of boxing and kickboxing. The team at Level Up will get your class moving in a novel way."

    Josh Hazard, Teacher, Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School

  • “Overall, we greatly appreciated the efforts of the Wrestle 4 Fun coaches. They were friendly and outgoing and extremely accommodating (especially when students asked to see demonstrations of the coaches' wrestling skills!). We hope to work with the program again in the near future.”

    Kimberly Liang, Teacher, Dixon Grove Junior Middle School

  • “The class was excellent! Both Andrew and Paul are awesome with the kids. I really like the breakdown of the program including both a life skills component and the physical fitness. The students all shared with me afterwards that they really enjoyed trying something new, and were excited for the next session."

    Alana Fangrad, Teacher, Level Up 2022

  • “The program was everything we had hoped it would be. The students were able to build on their leadership skills, develop a clear path toward achieving their goals and get a good sweat on! We are firm believers that we need to not only train our bodies but our minds as well, this program allowed us to do both! ”

    Andrew Muia, Teacher, You Grow Girl 2021

  • "It was unique, I loved the link to the mindset exercises as well. Students felt motivated to move and saw a new sport opportunity. Everyone could participate."

    Teacher, Wrestle 4 Fun 2022