Announcing Michael Ma as Executive Director

April 14, 2025

Go Green Youth Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Ma as its next Executive Director, effective immediately.

 

Michael brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and youth development. His journey with Go Green Youth Centre began as a basketball coach when he was a Grade 10 student at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute.

 

Over the years, Michael has worked for GGYC part-time year-round and full-time during our summer programs, deepening his commitment to supporting young people. He has also served as a Supervisor for the Toronto Foundation for Student Success Beyond 3:30 program at Valley Park Middle School.

 

Michael is admired for his dedication, leadership, coaching, and mentorship skills, which have profoundly shaped our organization’s culture. He is deeply respected for his unwavering character—his personal courage, kindness, empathy, and belief in the potential of others.

 

His impact is felt by all volunteers, coaches, participants and parents. He has built strong relationships with many members of the community.

 

In his new leadership role, Michael will focus on strengthening partnerships, expanding program offerings, and ensuring the organization continues to empower, educate, and elevate children and youth.

 

We are incredibly grateful for Michael’s willingness to fulfill this role, the trust he has earned, and the positive change he has fostered within young people in Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park and beyond.

 

"As a proud former student of Valley Park Middle School, I’m honoured and humbled to now be in a position to give back to the community that helped shape me. I understand the challenges many our youth face, and I’m committed to continuing the work and making a positive difference." – Michael Ma 


September 30, 2026
Thank you to all our partners, donors and community members who contributed to our Summer Sports & Education Camp 2026! "I want to say thank you for what you do. You are investing in the children's mental health, confidence and future." "This camp motivates me to keep pursuing to be a better version of myself, so that I can have the same impact for the younger campers as I once had being a participant." "A memorable moment that will stay with me forever is seeing my group as the underdogs win against much older opponents in soccer. Overall my campers positive attitude throughout the whole camp made it an experience I will never forget." "One camper who barely spoke up at the start ended up asking to help lead warm-ups by the end of camp small moment, but it meant a lot." "Honestly this whole summer camp has been such a special moment for me from meeting new people to doing different activities everyday."
July 17, 2026
On Friday, July 17, 2026, we were pleased to welcome Mayor Olivia Chow for a meet-and-greet with our youth and team at Thorncliffe Park Public School. It was a great opportunity to discuss issues affecting local youth and explore ways to collaborate. Thank you, Mayor Olivia Chow, for taking the time to visit us and connect with our youth and team!
June 30, 2026
Before welcoming our campers for our 2026 Summer Sports & Education Camp 2026, our coaches and Leaders-in-Training spent time gearing up to deliver the safest and most impactful experience possible. Throughout June 2026, our team engaged in hands-on workshops covering First Aid, safe play, youth mental health support, and career-building skills. A ​special thank you to The King’s Trust Canada, Jack.org, and ​Dr. Lauren Wolman​ for sharing their expertise and empowering our team!
March 18, 2026
On Saturday, March 14, Leaders-in-Training (LITs) accepted for our 2026 March Break Sports & Education Camp gathered at Valley Park Middle School for a day of mentorship, activity-based learning and camp training. Typically between the ages of 14 and 16, LITs shadow GGYC Coaches to gain hands-on experience. This program offers an excellent opportunity to earn volunteer hours, meet new people, and gain exposure to a work setting while developing essential leadership skills.
March 13, 2026
On Saturday, March 7, the Go Green Youth Centre (GGYC) team gathered at Valley Park Middle School for a day of growth, connection, and preparation. This personal development and training day was designed for our current and returning coaches as they gear up for the 2026 March Break Sports & Education Camp. The day went beyond typical staff training, diving deep into career exploration, leadership, and the real-world challenges our coaches face—from navigating the job market to building self-confidence.
March 10, 2026
What if we told you that the sport you love can help you build the career path of your dreams? On February 5, 2026, GGYC participants headed to the Central YMCA in Toronto for an incredible day of growth at The King’s Trust Canada’s "The Network: Shine On & Off the Field" event. Bridging the Gap: Sports x Career The day wasn't just about the game; it was about the hustle. The event focused on how the skills we build on the field—time management, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving—are the exact same ones that lead to a winning career. Our youth took part in : Interactive Sessions: Hands-on activities to test their on-the-spot decision making. Networking: Connecting with other young professionals and industry leaders. Career Mapping: Discovering how a passion for sports can turn into a full-time profession. Looking Ahead: FIFA World Cup 26™ With the FIFA World Cup 26™ fast approaching, TKTC presented their partnership with Coca-Cola to rollout the Coca-Cola Future Careers (FC) Academy to young Canadians – a dynamic digital learning experience designed to equip young people with the skills and confidence to step into sports marketing and related industries. With courses led by industry leaders on different key topics, the program blends real‑world know‑how, industry connections, and insider access to help the next generation of leaders score career goals before, during, and beyond the tournament. Sign-up for the Coca-Cola Future Careers (FC) Academy here .
January 21, 2026
In a special collaboration with Connected Minds, youth from our Leaders-in-Training program visited York University to see what research looks like in practice, who it involves, and how it connects to real lives and real communities.
January 16, 2026
I was born and raised in Toronto and have spent my whole life in Flemingdon Park, and my family is Chinese-Vietnamese. My dad immigrated to Canada in the late 70s and was considered one of the boat people who fled the Vietnam War, and my mom migrated in the early 90s.
November 30, 2025
Through this collaboration, we were able to successfully distribute free YNAB licenses and financial literacy resources to the youth we work with, empowering them with a powerful tool for financial planning. We extend our sincere gratitude to YNAB for giving back to our community!
November 19, 2025
Go Green Youth Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Abeir Liton as its Director, Philanthropy & Impact, effective immediately. Abeir’s background spans strategic planning, communications, organizational development, and technology. His journey started with GGYC when he was a student at Valley Park MS.
More Posts