Tristan
Youths shouldn’t have to join gangs to feel at home.
With the right support, they won’t have to.
Tristan grew up in a single-parent household, where the pressure to be strong came early. Without a father figure of his own, Tristan had to become one for his younger brother. His teenage years flew by in a blur of gang involvement, legal trouble, and drug abuse—all of which fueled his feelings of anger and isolation.
Through the Success Accelerator, Tristan found structure, support, and purpose. Today, he’s in college and working toward a career in law enforcement.
"At that point in my life, I thought I wanted to be dead by the age of 19."
Did you know?
In the past two years, youth firearm arrests have soared 161% as gangs increasingly target young people for recruitment. (1)
— CBC, 2024
There's still time to help
Your donation helps more youth like Tristan, Alisha & Star get what they need: care, tools, and a chance to rise.
Get to know other Voices of Resilience
Shaniqua
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Alisha
Star
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Tristan
At The Local Charity, we focus on three key pillars that empower youth to transform their lives from within.
Mental Health
Empowerment begins with the mind. We strive to equip youth with positive and resilient mindsets to lead fulfilling lives.
Essential Life Skills
Essential Life Skills form the foundation of success. With the right practical tools, we enable youth to unleash their full potential.
Technology
In a digital world, access to technology is crucial. By providing access to computers and the Internet, we offer youth a stepping stone to success.
The Success Accelerator is TLC’s core program. It helps youth build stability, confidence, and leadership through mentorship, listening, and practical tools.
(1) Cbc. (2024, July 12). Toronto’s youth firearm arrests up 161% in 2 years, new data shows. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-youth-firearm-arrests-up-gangs-1.7261204
(6)Public Safety Canada. (2022, August 2). Youth gangs in Canada: What do we know? https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctn