Coca-Cola Supports Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada’s Keystone Youth Leadership Program

Being a teenager can be tough. Feeling like childhood is behind them and their whole future is laid out in front, many teens view this stage as an important point in their life. It can be a challenging time that is all-at-once confusing, frustrating, and exciting.

Having a nurturing and supportive network of people available is perhaps never as important as at this crucial juncture. It frees teens to try new things and make mistakes while also challenging them to do more than they thought possible. While most teens will find precisely this environment at home and school, some aren’t so fortunate and may never be given their opportunity to shine.

Two teenagers sitting together, looking down at a textbook and smiling, they are both holding pencils

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Recently Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Coca-Cola Canada came together at Boys and Girls Club of West Scarborough to announce new support for the Keystone Youth Leadership program. Thanks to a $100,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada will be able to continue assisting vulnerable teenagers with this initiative.

“We have proudly partnered with Coca-Cola Canada for over a decade,” says Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. “We are thrilled to have them support the Keystone Youth Leadership program, which has been very successful at Clubs across North America. Thanks to The Coca-Cola Foundation’s generosity, Keystone programs at Boys and Girls Clubs from coast to coast will continue to help teens become engaged citizens and young leaders.”

Two blonde teenage girls sit together in a computer lab with binders and papers as if they are studying, they are smiling at the camera

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Keystone programs are running in 20 Clubs around the country and engage youth ages 13 to 18 by building leadership skills, raising community engagement and ultimately fostering a passion for lifelong learning. With the guidance of Club leaders, Keystone members plan their own activities based on needs in their communities and their own interests. Through the Keystone Youth Leadership program, teens are given the opportunity to channel their energy and ambition in a positive direction.

“We’re really excited to be able to support this important program,” said Joel Longland, Manager of Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations, Coca-Cola Ltd. “With Coca-Cola facilities across Canada, community engagement is an essential part of who we are. It’s a great feeling to be a part of something that makes communities stronger!”

For over a century, Boys and Girls Clubs in large cities and small towns, rural areas and Indigenous communities, have opened their doors and welcomed all children and youth. Every year, Boys and Girls Clubs give 200,000 young Canadians in nearly 700 communities the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential in an open and respectful environment. Thanks to the Keystone program, at-risk youth have the supportive, structured space they need to thrive and become leaders in their communities.