Reboot Plus

09/30/2026

As this blog is being published a full program “Toolkit” including a Program Guide, delivery guides and a full curriculum well as program marketing templates are being added to the Reboot Plus website for approved delivery partners. This is an important part of the Reboot Plus legacy. We do not want the learning to sit on a shelf. We want it to be used.

What happens when we stop asking young people to fit into systems that were not designed for them, and instead build programs around what they need? Since 2020, Reboot Plus has helped young people reconnect with possibility, community and a future they can imagine for themselves. Reboot Plus is a yo...

09/29/2026

What do youth value most in a mentor?

Someone they can trust. Someone who listens without judgment. Someone who is genuinely invested in their growth.

Research also shows that culturally responsive mentorship is especially important for Black, Indigenous and newcomer youth. Many youth prefer peer-to-peer and community-based mentoring over school-based supports.

Yet there is still a gap in consistent, individualized mentorship, especially during the transition from high school to post-secondary education or employment.

Reboot Plus helps create these connections by bringing youth together with people who can share knowledge, experiences and networks, while supporting them to build confidence and explore their future.

https://mentorcanada.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Youth%20Voice%20Report%20-%202026.pdf

09/28/2026

Hear Peter Wilkins, Professor at Douglas College, discuss Reboot Plus, a Future Skills Centre-funded initiative that supports at-risk youth through a hope-based model designed to help them navigate education and successfully transition into meaningful careers.

https://www.signal49.ca/insights/inclusion-and-workforce-innovation-advancing-equity-and-opportunity/

In this episode, we focus on inclusion in the workplace, examining the persistent barriers faced by underrepresented groups and the innovative approaches helping to build more equitable career pathways.

09/26/2026

What can happen when a young person is given the opportunity to explore their future, build confidence and connect with people who believe in their potential?

For one Reboot Plus participant, it changed the direction of their life.

In a personal reflection, they share how Reboot Plus helped them discover new possibilities, build confidence and see a different future for themselves.

Young people don't always need someone to tell them what career to choose. Sometimes they need opportunities to ask questions, meet people, try something new and discover what is possible.

Read the personal journey: https://rebootplus.ca/blog/how-reboot-plus-changed-my-life-a-personal-journey/

Reboot Plus didn’t just help me find a career—it changed my life and set me on a path to success instead of a downward spiral.

09/25/2026

What happens when a young person gets the time, support and real-world experience to explore their future?

Sometimes, the impact lasts for years.

Five years after participating in Reboot Plus, Zeida reflects on how the program helped her build confidence, explore her interests and understand what she wanted from her future.

Today, she is working as a veterinary assistant after completing the Veterinary Office and Animal Care program at Douglas College. She is also planning to return to school to become a certified veterinary technician.

But her biggest takeaway from Reboot Plus is the confidence to keep learning, ask questions, try new things and understand that taking time to find your path isn't falling behind.

Read Zeida's five-year reflection on the lasting impact of Reboot Plus:

https://rebootplus.ca/blog/five-years-later-a-student-reflects-on-the-lasting-impact-of-reboot-plus/

What Changed, What Stayed, and What Came Next Five years ago, Zeida shared her story in a blog post titled A Student’s Self-Discovery Journey in the Reboot Plus Program. At the time, she was navigating uncertainty, exploring interests, and learning to trust herself in a world that often pressures ...

09/24/2026

What can research tell us about supporting young people in our communities?

The Reboot Plus Research & Reports page brings together years of research and evaluation on youth education, career development and employment pathways.

The research looks at what helps young people facing barriers to education and work, what supports successful program delivery, and how approaches like Reboot Plus can be adapted to different communities.

The latest findings highlight the importance of strong local partnerships, flexible and relationship-based programming, and approaches that respond to the needs of each community.

Our research is designed to be shared.

Explore the Reboot Plus research and reports: https://rebootplus.ca/research-reports/

The Reboot Plus project partners includes co-management partners, business associations, school districts, and national college partners

09/23/2026

Peter Wilkins, Professor at Douglas College, discusses Reboot Plus, a Future Skills Centre-funded initiative that supports at-risk youth through a hope-based model designed to help them navigate education and successfully transition into meaningful careers.

Have a listen:

In this episode, we focus on inclusion in the workplace, examining the persistent barriers faced by underrepresented groups and the innovative approaches helping to build more equitable career pathways.

09/22/2026

“Today, you cannot place enough emphasis on real world, authentic professional connections. Youth unemployment is at a generational high, and a lot of businesses and sectors are curtailing their entry level opportunities. There is a real risk that youth will miss out on critical information, context and insights about various career options.”

A Program Built with Youth in Mind When Cory Redekop first became involved in the Reboot Plus program, one thing caught his attention right away. “The structure and design stood out. The program delivered real value to the youth, yet was easy to implement, easy for professionals and businesses to ...

09/21/2026

Friendships matter. But for teens, it may be the quality of those friendships, not the number of friends they have, that matters most.

Research shows that supportive, secure friendships can help young people navigate social and emotional challenges and support their well-being.

For young people, having someone who listens, understands and shows up can make a real difference.

https://www.torontomu.ca/news-events/news/2026/09/how-high-quality-friendship-supports-teen-well-being/

Discover why friendship quality matters more than quantity for adolescent well-being, and learn practical ways parents can support healthy teen bonds.

09/17/2026

The latest research shows that Reboot Plus is making a difference, and its lessons can help communities across Canada support young people who are struggling to find their path.

The latest research shows that Reboot Plus is making a difference, and its lessons can help communities across Canada support young people who are struggling to find their path.