DTBY helps youth thrive, not just survive

Our mission is to inspire young adults to make their mark and drive community change.

What would the world be like if we all chose to rise above our self-doubt, fears, and make our mark?

Dare to be Youth Charity (DTBY) is a movement dedicated to empowering 14-24 year old’s in the Halton, Hamilton Regions and beyond (GTHA). We believe in the power of community as a key component of thriving and wellness, and we aim to connect youth, facilitate opportunities for dialogue, and help them build the skills to truly thrive.

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DTBY is making an IMPACT

At DTBY, we believe in unlocking the potential within every young person. Through unwavering support and opportunities, we empower youth to grow, lead, and dream big. Thanks to the generosity of our community, including 80 donors and over 30 partnering organizations, we’re bridging gaps, creating opportunities, and driving lasting change.

In 2023 alone, DTBY impacted over 1,956 students through our programs and volunteer initiatives. Together, we are building stronger, more resilient communities—one young person at a time.

Mayor’s Award 2024 — Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

On May 21, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2024 Business Excellence Awards Gala, where Dare to be Youth Charity, led by founder and CEO Shannon Tobin, received the Mayor’s Award. This award, focusing on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), recognizes the charity’s outstanding commitment to empowering young people from diverse backgrounds and fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding.

message from our Community youth Council (CYC)

Over the past few years, dtby has heard time and time again from our mentees that they are worried about the future. And this has only intensified, due to the COVID – pandemic, the rising costs of living, and conflict around the world.

Our young people need support and guidance more now than ever before.

Recognizing the diversity of the community we serve, and the systemic barriers faced by underserved communities in accessing social services, DTBY has a comprehensive plan built around the principle of “nothing for us, without us,” to ensure our programs are as inclusive and accessible as possible.

As we grow and expand dtby’s Financial Literacy program into 2024, we will be looking to partner with schools and organizations in the GTHA to bring the “Enhance your Finance” workshop directly to you.

The Spotlight Series

The Spotlight Series helps tell the stories of youth who are the leaders of today. It includes a series of speakers panels and podcasts facilitated by the CYC, which focus on the theme of UNITY.

#DareToBeYou

it’s a movement dedicated to empowering 14-24 year olds

our programs

These programs help young people thrive by capitalizing on their strengths to build and grow a healthy foundation of resilience to navigate life’s challenges.

join our community

Our long-term goal is to see businesses and people within our community continue to be engaged and contribute so that we can sustain giving in an even bigger way.

invest in youth

Whether it’s $25 or $5 a month, your donations help build positive relationships and build community engagement through various volunteer and leadership opportunities today’s youth wouldn’t otherwise have through various personal development, volunteer, and leadership opportunities.
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CYC embraces the movement of purpose, authenticity, and most importantly peer mentorship. We are stronger together.

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student volunteer initiatives

An opportunity for highschool students to participate and engage in meaningful community service initiatives, paying forward the action of giving back.

peer networking and community engagement

Are you part of a youth leadership group? Join our peer-to-peer network to engage with our CYC and build community with an inspiring network of peers.

Community Youth Council for youth inspire program grads

Youth will be invited to join the CYC, providing them with further opportunity to take a leadership role and drive change.

financial wellness & resilience series

This series focuses on helping youth get set up for a life of financial wellness, and on how to be resilient during financial challenges.

youth inspire community day replay

This year’s virtual event has ended. However, not to worry. We will be making the recording available in the coming weeks.

are you part of a youth leadership group? if yes, tell us more

We are stronger together.

Follow us on instagram @cycforchange to join us as we build community.

partners for change

learn more

Youth Inspire Community Day has inspired me to take leadership and help out my community members. I may be too young to start a business now, but I can slowly grow my resilience and motivation so that I can accomplish these larger goals in the near future.
Change is something that takes time yet is fast approaching. All of us youth need to participate to be the change we want to see today.
My biggest takeaway from the event is that it’s never too late to start. Like one of the speakers said, “Youth is the leader of today”, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be tomorrow, next year, or the next two years. We can always start making change and inspiring others in our community right now.

Indigenous Artist Chantelle Trainor-Matties

Chantelle Trainor-Matties is a visual artist from British Columbia with Nisga’a and Métis heritage who specializes in illustration, graphic design, and painting.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT – DTBY

Dare To Be Youth Charity (dtby) is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of many nations including the Haudenosaunee, the Huron-Wendat peoples, and is also home now to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

At DTBY, we are proud to promote the spirit of helping, sharing and caring for our neighbours without the expectation that has been exemplified by each of these nations, as the first peoples of this land, for thousands of years. And we wish to acknowledge our gratitude for the ongoing opportunity to live, work, and build community on this land.

We all have a collective responsibility to care for each other, to care for these lands, and it is past time to turn reflection into action, and we challenge ourselves, and everyone joining us here to commit to at least one tangible next step to move this work forward.

DTBY Events

Checkout some of our exciting upcoming events! There’s always a lot going on.