News & Events
Stay connected for upcoming news and events!
Thank you to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment for spotlighting us and highlighting the wonderful work we do in the community!
This Saturday, Bartley Skills was thrilled to launch our "Give a Cut, Get a Cut" initiative at STACKT Market!
"Give a Cut, Get a Cut" supports elementary and high school students in need of hygiene services and mentorship. We were proud to have our Beyond Barbering and Hairdressing graduates provide donation-based hair services to guests.
We were especially excited to have our friends from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto at the event, who received 15 free hair services from our staff.
All proceeds from this event go directly to our Hair for Self-Esteem initiative, providing essential grooming services to kids in our communities.
We’ve seen firsthand how looking your best can make you feel your best, as our Hair for Self-Esteem services have boosted youth attendance and participation in school, improved youth's relationships with peers, families, and mentors, and instilled a profound sense of confidence within our participants.
Our event was a tremendous success! We connected with community members, saw countless smiles as people left the salon chair, and raised significant funds for our upcoming programs.
A huge shoutout to our partners at MLSE Foundation Game Changers for donating two signed jerseys and a pair of TFC tickets, and to Tommy Guns Barbershop for giving away over $600 worth of high-end hair tools and products.
Thank you to Tommy Gun’s for helping spearhead this initiative and to Stackt Market for organizing such a wonderful event featuring amazing Black-owned businesses!
The impact of sports on youth development is undeniable, enhancing mental and physical wellbeing while fostering confidence, teamwork, and resilience 💪
This past week, thanks to Jays Care Foundation’s support, the Bartley Skills Development Program hosted a fun-filled summer camp at Central Peel Secondary School. From baseball to soccer and basketball (+ more!), campers enjoyed learning new skills, making friends, and staying active!
It was inspiring to witness these young athletes grow throughout the program. In just a few days, we saw significant improvements in skills, confidence, and friendships. We’re grateful to have positively influenced these remarkable young individuals.
A heartfelt thank you to Jays Care Foundation for making this camp possible!
Last week marked a truly special occasion for us at BSD, as we engaged in a wonderful community give-back event in Brampton. We proudly hosted a free baseball program, courtesy of the Jays Care Foundation, allowing us to connect with the local youth and bring joy through sports.
But that's not all - alongside the baseball program, we had another meaningful initiative. One of our Beyond Barbering graduates had the chance to mentor some talented young men, introducing them to the art and basics of barbering.
By equipping these young men with valuable skills and empowering them to pursue a career with purpose, we are not just transforming their lives but also contributing to a stronger and more prosperous community.
Through the Jays Care Foundation camp, we witnessed beaming smiles on the faces of young athletes during their time on the field - running the bases, catching fly balls, and swinging for the fences. These moments become the building blocks of a positive change that can shape the lives of our future generation.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our amazing coaches whose dedication made this event possible. Thank you all for your support!
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generous support of the Toronto Blue Jays ⚾️💙. Their partnership and commitment to community engagement have made a significant impact on the lives of these young individuals.
At BSD, we are committed to fostering lasting change in our community. Join us in our mission to empower and uplift those around us.
2023 - 07 - 18
GLOBL JAM 2023
Our GLOBL JAM activation was an astounding success!
At Canada Basketball’s GLOBL JAM tournament, the Bartley Skills Development Program had the opportunity to host an activation where we gave out free haircuts to fans all week. At BSD, we understand the transformative effects that a haircut can have on self-esteem. Being able to see that glimmer of confidence over and over again after every cut is what made this event so worthwhile.
We're so pleased to share that we not only hosted a phenomenal event, but also had the privilege of forging numerous connections with people who are genuinely interested in our programs. Through this event, we raised vital funds and had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with countless enthusiasts who share our passion.
2023 - 08 - 02
JAYS CAMP
In late July, BSD seized the opportunity to host a free baseball training program in Brampton, made possible through the generous support of the Jays Care Foundation. This week-long camp unfolded as a profoundly heartening experience, shaping lasting memories for both athletes and coaches involved.
This week, we had the chance to watch children who had never stepped foot onto a baseball field before as they cultivated newfound self-assurance, forged connections with their peers, and reveled in the adventure of summer camp was truly invaluable. We stand humbled by our role in granting access to an experience that might otherwise have remained beyond reach, empowering young minds through the very essence of the sport.
The significance of sports for children cannot be overstated. The friendship and spirit inherent in team sports has the capacity to profoundly transform a child, bolstering their self-esteem and facilitating connections with their peers. Amid the array of athletes who participated this week, one individual stood out vividly: Alex.
Aged eight, Alex is. a bubbly and energetic young girl. Upon joining our JaysCare camp, she admitted she was very nervous to try out baseball for the first time, fueled by a fear of failure. Through unwavering dedication to practice and an outpouring of encouragement, Alex remarkably advanced to batting without the assistance of a tee, navigating multiple bases with finesse, and even contributing strikeouts against opposing teams. Her self-assurance underwent a remarkable ascent throughout our week together.
It is the kind of transformation shown by young people like Alex that makes our work at BSD so fulfilling. Making connections with young minds and equipping them with the tools to pave a path toward future success remains the pinnacle of our goals.
2023- 08 - 02
BARBERING CAMP
During the month of July, BSD took the initiative to host a comprehensive week-long "Beyond Barbering" session in the vibrant locale of Brampton. This endeavor was aimed at not only introducing but also igniting the aspirations of high school students, propelling them towards the exciting realm of barbering as a potential career path.
Our carefully curated barbering camp served as an illuminating portal for an eager group of young students. They delved into the intricacies of the barbering craft, acquiring skills that extended far beyond the technicalities of cutting hair and ventured out into professionalism, entrepreneurship, and customer service. As their proficiency in the art of barbering grew, so too did their self-assurance. The camp laid a firm groundwork for these young barbers to build a promising path toward a career post-graduation.
The happiness we feel knowing that we helped these young people discover their passions is beyond measure. Seeing them learn new skills and get excited about their future goals makes us very proud. As they leave our camp, they take with them not just the skills to be great barbers, but also a new sense of purpose that will help them as they move forward in their lives. This is why our mission is more than just teaching – it's about making big changes and supporting them on their way to success.
2022-07-08
GloblJam 2022 Canada Basketball
My name is Samantha M., and I'm both a Program Coordinator and a Junior Hair Stylist at the Bartley Skills Development Program. A great opportunity was given to me as a braider to attend the GloblJam event in Toronto, Ontario under the ChairLinks initiative.
The ChairLinks platform is an initiative working to create remote work opportunities for beauty professionals using vacant inventory in existing salons and barbershops.
This event was a big success, exceeding all expectations as Canada's International Basketball Showcase. Canada Basketball, Shea Moisture, and GloblJam provided a unique opportunity for Chairlinks to meet others with similar goals, introduce ourselves to the community, and showcase what makes us unique and necessary. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to spread love through complimentary hair services to the community, as well as to the athletes who came from all over the world play for their countries. From seeing the surprise when individuals heard that they would be treated for absolutely nothing but 15 minutes of their time, to the smiles and the acts of gratitude across the community, was inspiring to say the least. This demonstrated the necessity of the work that we do here at Bartley Skills Development Program in the neighbourhoods which we live and love.
Providing free services is an intimate act.
This, is how I say “I care about my city”.