The Hart House Group Fitness Mentorship Program provides youth the opportunity to become certified fitness instructors while being paid for their commitment. Prioritizing QTBIPOC, low-income, precariously housed, disabled, and/or Muslim youth who are at least 18 years old, this program also works to change the face of the group fitness industry from the ground up.
In connection with the Well Being Collective team at the Hart House Fitness Centre, we provide scheduled theory and hands-on learning opportunities under the supervision and mentorship of senior group fitness instructors. Mentees are sponsored for the cost of the textbook, the Ontario Fitness Council written and practical exams, and a 2-year OFC membership after successfully passing their exams.
The program runs twice a week throughout July and August for a total of around 40 hours.
Focus
- Access and transition: promote successful academic and social transitions to post-secondary education
- Outreach & Engagement: increase awareness and understanding of post-secondary pathways
Features
- Career exploration
- Experiential learning (e.g., co-op, internship, design challenges, field trips, etc.)
- Participant incentive(s) (e.g., expense reimbursement, bursaries, scholarships)
- Tutoring & mentorship
- Wrap-around services (e.g. provision of food, skills development workshops, writing centre and library access, etc.)
Timeframe
- Summer
Participants
Ages
- High school students
- Undergraduate students
Groups
- Adults who have not completed their Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- First-generation students
- LGBTQ+ students
- Newcomers to Canada
- Racialized students
- Secondary school students with low credit accumulation and/or achievement rates
- Students from communities with limited access to post-secondary education (e.g. rural or remote communities)
- Students requiring outreach/transition support
- Students with disabilities