Our Story

The Opportunity Project Youth Association was incorporated in April 2019. The creation of TOP is quite a unique story. It begins with the first spark of an idea, all the way from Ottawa, that resulted in the formation of TOP as it is today. At the 2016 One Young World convention, Will White (TOP president) wrote a simple phrase, “give opportunities to youth “, at the ending ribbon ceremony when asked what he aspired to do. From that moment, the idea of giving more opportunity to youth was something Will could not get off his mind. Beginning in the small town of Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Will created a means of providing opportunity to youth, a non-profit organization in Central NL called 'The Opportunity Project'.

 

The One Young World convention inspired Will to create an association that had true potential within and beyond itself. At the convention, he was struck by the endless potential of his fellow youth, all they needed was an opportunity to demonstrate it. TOP is a means of providing quality opportunities to local youth in order to help them in achieving their full potential. As youth, we understand each other as people, we resonate with each other, and have much hope for our futures both as individuals and a collective. 

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Will and Whitney met in 2013 when they were both working/volunteering at a local youth centre. Their passion for youth initiatives quickly turned into a friendship and collaboration that would go on to create many initiatives, including TOP. Whitney saw Will's vision for this organization and was willing to jump on board. With her career starting out in youth care and non-profit development, Whitney was ready to dive into such an ambitious project! Over the next few years, TOP became an incorporated non-profit organization with a youth-led board, who provides programming and opportunities for youth in Eastern Canada. TOP is now officially a charitable organization that is planning to expand across the country!