As one of the first programs of its kind to be offered in Mississauga, Adventures in Science at the Mississauga Academy of Medicine (AIS MAM) is a community mentorship program that aims to assist local high school students in the development and delivery of engaging science outreach programs to elementary school students in the Mississauga community. Throughout this longitudinal mentorship program (typically from January-April) high school students attend a series of comprehensive workshops to build their leadership, project planning, interpersonal, and scientific skills under the guidance of the medical students at the Mississauga Academy of Medicine (MAM). The longitudinal mentorship aspect for the high school students takes place at the MAM campus at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM).

Adventures In Science (AIS) St. George is a unique mentorship program in which we explore science communication together in its many forms. Grade 11-12 high school students with an interest in science from around Toronto are grouped with two mentors, who are U of T medical and graduate students. Through monthly sessions running from October to May (Wednesdays, 5:00 PM–7:00 PM), students will be exposed to a variety of guest speakers who employ scientific communication in their careers for the first half of each session. The second half of each session will be focused on preparing a Longitudinal Science Project, on a topic of the group’s choosing, to be shared with elementary students. This program is delivered in a hybrid format, with options for either online or in-person participation depending on mentee/mentor preference. We enroll roughly 200 high school students and over 20 mentors each year! The more, the merrier! We hope you will join us for another fantastic year of science and mentorship!

Altitude Healthcare Mentoring STG is an initiative across Ontario aimed at empowering undergraduate students to pursue studies and careers in healthcare fields by partnering them with medical student mentors. The students selected to participate in this program are traditionally underrepresented in Canada’s healthcare workforce. The program includes one-on-one mentoring supported by monthly career development initiatives for the mentees. The events included an IHPSA panel, a "How to Survive Undergrad at U of T" presentation, a CV building workshop and mindfulness and time management sessions.

The UofT Med Blood Drive club is a student-led group dedicated to raising awareness and recruiting volunteers to donate blood, working alongside Canadian Blood Services. We run at least 2 blood drives throughout the year for medical students to donate blood together. For students who are unable to donate during blood drive events, time slots for group donation can be arranged at the local clinic on College Street as well, where they accommodate groups of ~12 donors. We also run at least 1 stem cell donor registration and swabbing event to add students to the stem cell registry, supporting the effort to find a match for patients requiring stem cell transplants.

Create Expressions aims to provide medical students with opportunities to engage in artistic expression while fostering meaningful connections with older adults in long-term care facilities and retirement homes. The club organizes artwork submissions, campus-based art nights, and interactive paint nights in these community settings, promoting creativity, conversation, and social engagement between students and older adults.

Growing Up Healthy is a student-run educational and outreach program for children and youth, which aims to promote healthy living through interactive workshops through partnerships with various tutoring programs and elementary schools in Mississauga. These workshops tailor activities to specific age groups, encouraging a greater appreciation and understanding of topics such as nutrition, physical activity, mental health and positive body image.

Growing Up Healthy is a student-run educational and outreach program for children and youth, which aims to promote healthy living through interactive workshops through partnerships with various tutoring programs and elementary schools in Toronto. These workshops tailor activities to specific age groups, encouraging a greater appreciation and understanding of topics such as nutrition, physical activity, mental health and positive body image.

IMAGINE (Interprofessional Medical and Allied Groups for Improving Neighbourhood Environment) is an interprofessional, student-run community health initiative aimed at promoting and providing holistic health care to the core neighbourhoods of downtown Toronto. 1) To promote and provide health care services to marginalized populations in Toronto through our weekly Saturday clinic at Central Toronto Community Health Centre. 2) To offer students in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy an opportunity to work with preceptors in an interdisciplinary team on real-life cases in the community that serve marginalized populations 3) Conduct outreach with community agencies through our Health Promotion and Community Partnerships committees 4) Provide a platform for critical discussions on inner city health through our Advocacy committee in the form of outreach sessions, panels, and an annual conference on a timely inner city health issue

Kids2Hear is a primary preventative health initiative ran by UofT medical students to conduct hearing screenings for hundreds of children across Toronto. We conduct an annual training session at SickKids and receive clinical support at our screenings from SickKids. We are particularly geared towards schools in underserved communities that may lack access to care. We also provide educational workshops for parents and teachers.

Kids2See is a pediatric vision screening program that runs approximately six screening sessions per school year at Toronto District School Board Model Schools. We train medical student volunteers to screen these kindergarteners for amblyopia, a common and easily-treated vision condition that can lead to permanent vision loss if not diagnosed early. Each year Kids2See reaches approximately 200-250 children per year.

The Kindler Arts Program provides medical students with the opportunity to work with young adults (16-24 years old) with a range of physical and mental disabilities. This program allows medical students to gain comfort and learn skills for working with people with diverse needs. These interactions provide insight and a unique perspective into the abilities of the participants and will be invaluable for the students’ future careers in medicine. Another mandate of this club is to provide and support quality recreational and respite programs for youth with disabilities and their families. Without the support and planning from UofT medical students, this program would not be possible, as Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital does not provide services for children transitioning from Pediatric care to adult care (>16 years of age). These services are invaluable to the well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families.

Through a thriving partnership between the Noteworthy Music Program (NMP) and the volunteer departments at Mount Sinai Hospital and Credit Valley Hospital, volunteer musicians provide musical performances to interested patients at each hospital site. Noteworthy has 3 main goals: To improve the experience of bed-bound patients by playing music for them on a weekly basis. To provide student volunteers a chance to use their musical talents to brighten patients’ hospital visits. To foster relationships between volunteer musicians and patients and to encourage active engagement in the local community.

The Saturday Program is a non-profit initiative established in 1996 by University of Toronto medical students in partnership with the Office of Student Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, and TDSB. Since then, it has expanded its outreach to all of UofT, with a newly formed collaboration with Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education (CACHE). The program is designed to provide academic support and mentorship to middle and high school students in the Toronto area.

Through 10 sessions, middle and high school students (tutees) who are struggling academically, and lack the financial or social means to receive educational support are paired with a UofT undergraduate, graduate, medical and other professional student tutors. Tutees receive tutoring, mentorship, and attend workshops that explore various skills and careers. Our goal is to equip Toronto's youth with the necessary tools to succeed in their studies and to empower them to continue their academic growth and development.

Since the program’s return to in-person sessions, it has brought numerous benefits, including enhanced engagement, stronger tutor-tutee relationships, and more interactive and hands-on learning experiences.

In summary, the Saturday Program offers invaluable experience for both our high school students(tutees) and tutors, fostering academic success and personal growth.

The Scadding Court Mentorship Program (SCMP) pairs up inner-city children (aged 6-12) with volunteer mentors who are students and alumni from U of T’s Faculty of Medicine. Alumni and students are keen to make a noticeable difference in our local community by supporting the mission of this program to promote positive relationships with children in a high-risk neighborhood. To accomplish these goals, volunteers and children team up to engage in a variety of physical, educational, and professional endeavors that bring out lots of laughter and fun. Some examples of activities enjoyed by volunteers and students from previous years include: hands-on science programs at the Ontario Science Centre, and culture-promoting field trips to sites in the city like the Gardiner Museum. The SCMP runs annually from November to April and consists of approximately 20 two-hour mentorship sessions at the Scadding Court Community Centre 707 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario (Bathurst & Dundas). The growth of this program has gathered tremendous attention from children and families within the community, allowing it to be recognized as a pinnacle initiative with the community center. Due to its popularity, children actively enroll in the program to gain access to mentors and experiences that would not be available due to their current financial or family situations. The structure of the program is as follows: two mentors are assigned to a mentee based on common interests (i.e., in arts, sports, science, etc.). Mentors and mentees meet weekly on Saturday for two hours and participate in the scheduled activity (activity schedule is provided at the start of the program).

Swimming With a Mission Toronto is a not-for-profit student initiative founded as a registered chapter of Swimability Canada in 2011. The program’s mission is to provide affordable and accessible one-on-one swimming instruction to children with intellectual & physical disabilities. There are 2 seasons each year, with 8 sessions each held at Beverley School Pool. With an expanding volunteer base now encompassing undergraduate and PT/OT students, SWAM continues to move towards expanding its reach and strengthening its impact in the community.

Threads is dedicated to weaving together the diverse tapestries of cultures that enrich our medical community. Our mission is to foster an environment where medical students, faculty, and professionals can express their unique cultural identities, engage in meaningful dialogue about global health issues, and advocate for sustainable practices. We aim to illuminate the importance of cultural competence in healthcare, preparing future medical practitioners to serve a diverse patient population with empathy and understanding.

We envision a medical community that values and celebrates diversity in all its forms. Through our annual event, Threads: A Cultural Mosaic, we strive to showcase the richness of cultures represented in the medical field, promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of global health perspectives. Our vision extends beyond the University of Toronto, with aspirations to inspire similar initiatives across medical schools in Canada, fostering a nationwide movement towards a more inclusive and globally conscious healthcare system.

The UofT Med Blood Drive club is a student-led group dedicated to raising awareness and recruiting volunteers to donate blood, working alongside Canadian Blood Services. We run at least 2 blood drives throughout the year for medical students to donate blood together. For students who are unable to donate during blood drive events, time slots for group donation can be arranged at the local clinic on College Street as well, where they accommodate groups of ~12 donors. We also run at least 1 stem cell donor registration and swabbing event to add students to the stem cell registry, supporting the effort to find a match for patients requiring stem cell transplants.

Walk With a Future Doc Mississauga is a chapter of Walk With a Doc, a dynamic organization that promotes healthy lifestyles for individuals who aspire to take decisive steps towards better overall well-being. Committed to creating a supportive community, the organization provides opportunities for individuals to engage in physical activities with healthcare professionals, empowering them to make informed choices and develop habits that lead to healthier lives.

The WoodGreen Child Mentorship Program is a student-led initiative at the University of Toronto in partnership with WoodGreen Community Services, one of Toronto’s largest social service agencies. This program operates as a subset of WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound initiative, which supports single mothers and mother-led families experiencing housing insecurity as they pursue postsecondary education and long-term self-sufficiency.

Our program pairs U of T students pursuing careers in healthcare with children aged 6–12 from Homeward Bound families. Through regular in-person sessions, mentors develop meaningful, long-term relationships with their mentees while leading fun, engaging, and educational activities—ranging from arts and crafts to sports, scavenger hunts, and field trips. Each session offers a safe, supportive environment for children to play, grow, and learn, while also giving their mothers time to focus on their personal and academic goals. Lunch is provided for both children and mentors at the end of each session.

Overall, the WoodGreen Child Mentorship Program is deeply committed to health equity, community empowerment, and social responsibility through consistent mentorship and meaningful engagement with equity-deserving communities.

Sessions are held on Saturday mornings at the WoodGreen Community Centre in East York, with approximately 11 sessions held throughout the academic year.