About The GO Project

Year-round opportunities for you to change the world.

Our programs help enable children and youth to give back to their communities in meaningful ways. Whether you want to volunteer with a local organization, learn about causes of injustice in Canadian communities, or find and develop resources, our programs are for you!

Our programming comes in various formats, including Children’s Adventure Day Camp, Sunday School Curriculum, Youth Mission Camp, and more.



Vision

Faith-filled generations that transform communities



Mission

Creating welcoming programs for children, youth, and leaders that support spiritual development, community building, and opportunities to put faith and love into action

We Believe That...

Young people have the gifts, knowledge, insights, and drive to transform their communities and the world.

We Believe That...

Inclusion, justice-seeking, and community-building are at the core of our identity as Christians and propel us to action in our lives.

We Believe That...

Through an intentional cycle of reflection and action youth can discern, strengthen and live out their values.

We Believe That...

This process requires a brave environment, individual reflection, diversity of thought and perspective that challenges existing perceptions.

Diversity Statement

We at GO believe our mission is to create open programs and spaces for young people to learn how to put faith and love into action in the world. It is also our duty, then, to put that faith and love into action within our own organization. In order to teach hospitality and abundant love, we need to embody it ourselves. This means being intentionally and actively anti-racist in everything that we do.

Year: 2007

In 2007, the youth group of Islington United Church and their minister, Michael Shewburg, began planning for a mission trip overseas. Like many other young people, they sought an experience that would allow them to create change, grow together in faith, and learn more about the world around them.

Finding a partner organization whose values and understanding of theology matched with theirs proved to be difficult. Coupled with a growing awareness of the many areas of need in their own community, they decided to create their own service and learning experience in Toronto, and The GO Project was born.

Year: 2014

In the 16 years since, The GO Project has facilitated youth programs in Vancouver, Saskatoon, Stratford, Montréal, Halifax, St. John’s, and of course, at Islington United Church in Toronto. 2014 saw the introduction of our Children’s Adventure Camps, which are less intensive than the youth programs, but also strive to help participants recognize how they can create change in the world using their unique gifts and abilities, all while living in the community and serving as God’s hands and feet in the world.

Year: 2019

As of 2019, these week-long day camps have been hosted by faith communities in over twenty-five cities and towns across Canada.

All GO Project programs are safe and affirming spaces for participants, staff, and community members who identify as LGBTQ+, are of racial or cultural minorities, are questioning their faith, longing for a place to belong, and are of all physical and intellectual abilities.

Present

Since 2007, The GO Project has expanded our program offering to include curriculum design, workshop leadership, Confirmation programs, Youth Forum design, and more!

The GO Project relies on the leadership and gifts of other staff and volunteers within the whole church community to help us offer inspiring, engaging, and meaningful programming.