Have you or a young person you know had experience with the police or the criminal justice system and could benefit from additional support?
The Scarborough Youth ReStart Initiative is here to help you move forward.
About the Program:
The Scarborough Youth ReStart Initiative (SYRI) is a trauma-informed, culturally responsive restorative justice program delivered by Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC). It supports Black and racialized youth ages 12–17 in Scarborough who are involved with the youth justice system.
SYRI provides structured, community-based alternatives to detention for eligible youth and helps young people reconnect with their schools, families, and communities. Through the RESET Program and Next Steps for Success, youth take responsibility for their actions, address the circumstances that contributed to their justice involvement, and build skills to move forward.
We provide wrap around support, alternatives to detention, and connections to meaningful resources to help youth navigate challenges, build strengths, and explore positive opportunities.
If you have been charged with a crime and need additional support or would like to join our program, contact our youth case manager now: sattie.beepat@hsdconline.org or Tel: 416- 266 4577
Why SYRI?
Black and racialized youth continue to be disproportionately represented in the youth justice system. Racism, trauma, poverty, family instability, and disconnection from school can make it harder for young people to get the support they need. Limited access to services that understand their cultures and lived experiences can compound those barriers.
SYRI expands access to community-based rehabilitation by bringing restorative justice, counselling, mentorship, education support, employment readiness, and family support into one program. HSDC works with courts, probation services, the Toronto Police Service, school boards, the Children’s Aid Society, and community organizations to coordinate support for youth and their families. The program aims to reduce the
How SYRI Works
Each young person works with our youth case manager to identify their strengths, needs, and goals and develop an individual support plan. Goals might include returning to school, improving communication at home, or preparing for a first job. The case manager checks in regularly, helps the young person work through barriers, and coordinates with caregivers and service providers where appropriate. The program has two streams: RESET AND Next Steps for Success
1. RESET Program
RESET is the program’s restorative justice and early intervention stream for youth involved in the justice system, including youth who may be completing court conditions or participating as part of a community-based alternative to detention.
Youth receive individualized support that may include:
- Initial needs assessment and individualized action planning
- Restorative justice peer circles focused on accountability, empathy, repairing harm, and decision-making
- Anger management and conflict-resolution workshops
- Trauma-informed, one-on-one counselling and case management
- Family support and counselling where appropriate
- Supervised community service and community repair activities
- Personal reflection and accountability activities
- Connections to additional services such as mental health, education, housing, employment, and substance-use supports
- Progress reporting and coordination with probation officers and other partners
The goal is to help youth understand the impact of their actions, develop healthier coping and conflict-resolution strategies, take responsibility, and begin rebuilding relationships with their families and communities.
2. Next Steps for Success
Youth who complete RESET and require continued support can transition into Next Steps for Success or youth can also complete this on their own. These activities focus on longer-term reintegration and future pathways.
Youth receive:
- Continued counselling and individualized case management
- Community-based mentorship and leadership development
- Education re-engagement and back-to-school support
- Tutoring, credit recovery, alternative education, and other learning pathways
- Employment-readiness training, including resumes, interviews, workplace skills, and career exploration
- Connections to employers, trades, apprenticeships, training programs, and other employment opportunities
- Ongoing family and wrap-around supports
- Post-program follow-up to help youth maintain their progress
Who is Eligible?
SYRI supports Black and racialized youth ages 12–17 who are involved with the youth justice system in Scarborough. Youth may require support with accountability, rehabilitation, school disengagement, family challenges, trauma, employment readiness, or successful reintegration into the community.
How Can We Support You?
- Diversion and justice related supports
- Counselling services
- Employment and career opportunities
- Mentorships
- Restorative Justice and Community service
- Connecting with community programs
- Identifying goals and creating positive next steps
- Advocating for YOU!
How to Register :
Please fill out the form here or SCAN the QR code on the flyer
Registration Link: : Scarborough Youth ReStart Initiative (SYRI)