As Canada’s largest dedicated child- and youth-serving organization, we understand the importance of youth development and creating environments that foster resilience in young people. 

R2 isn’t a program, it’s an approach 

If you’ve seen one Club, you’ve seen one Club. BGC Canada has more than 600 locations across the country, and each operates differently to meet the unique needs of their communities. 

Rather than a program with a structure involving steps, timelines, and activities, R2 is an approach: guiding principles and ways of thinking that inform how Club staff work with youth. Because of this, R2 can be weaved into BGC Club’s existing work with youth—making it flexible for each Club to adapt into their daily operations, whatever that looks like. 

A curriculum specifically designed for BGC Clubs 

We’re thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Michael Ungar and his team at the Resilience Research Centre’s Evaluation and Training Institute to customize an R2 curriculum to support youth who walk through Club doors. 

Social work scholar, family therapist, and global expert on resilience, Dr. Ungar has shifted how we understand the challenges faced by young people—helping us adapt how we approach those at risk of educational disengagement. With his support, we’ve given Club staff practical tools to foster stronger relationships with youth—something BGC Clubs are already great at doing. 

The training session included collaborative, hands-on activities and engaging conversations that linked our impact on the well-being of youth through BGC Canada’s Learning & Impact data. Club staff left the session with tangible resources and tips to help them apply R2 to foster youth resiliency.

We’re grateful for our partnerships with The Keg Spirit Foundation and The McCall MacBain Foundation, who made the resources for this program possible. With their support, BGC Clubs across the country are better equipped to address the mental health needs of their communities. 

BGC staff from 57 Clubs across Canada came together for an impactful 2-day training session, aimed at strengthening the facilitation of our Learn On program.

Funded by the Government of Canada, Learn On provides youth aged 13-21 with the academic support and resources they need to overcome systemic barriers and stay on track for educational success.

The event wasn’t just a training session, it was an experience designed to spark new ideas, build connections, and equip staff with tools to empower youth in meaningful ways.

A major highlight of the session was the leadership of Dr. Michael Ungar, a renowned social work scholar and global expert on resilience. Dr. Ungar shared his groundbreaking research on how we can build resilience in young people. His session on nurturing stronger connections and helping youth cope with adversity provided invaluable insights that left staff inspired and motivated to implement these strategies back at their Clubs.

As a family therapist and academic, Dr. Ungar has transformed how we understand the challenges young people face, helping to reshape the way we approach support for those at risk of educational disengagement. His training didn’t just offer theories—it gave Club staff practical tools to foster stronger relationships with youth, ensuring that they have the resilience to thrive.

participants logging over 100,000 hours of programming—to interactive discussions on youth-focused themes like STEM, the two days were a whirlwind of inspiration and learning. Participants also took part in a Photo Voice activity – where participants capture and share photographs that represent their experiences – sparking creativity and fresh perspectives.

BGC Club staff left the training feeling recharged, armed with new strategies and a deeper understanding of the importance of community in their work.

The impact of the training was clear:

• 96% of participants said the session was a valuable use of their time
• 96% reported gaining new ideas that could be applied at their Clubs
• 91% of staff felt more confident in their ability to run successful Learn On programs and support youth in achieving their educational goals

With the Learn On program and the support of experts like Dr. Ungar, BGC Canada is continuing to make a lasting impact on youth across the country. Together, we’re building a future where every young person has the tools they need to succeed, no matter the barriers they face.