HISTORY
In 2002, YPI was created by founder Julie Toskan and formally established by the Toskan Casale Foundation, the original Canadian creators of MAC Cosmetics. Our values are rooted in the experience of the MAC AIDS Fund, when value-driven decisions were made to engage and empower the public to stand up for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.
YPI’s model began as an idea: to strengthen support for local social issues by empowering young people to determine where grant dollars would be best put to use in their communities. Today, this model – community development achieved through youth engagement – now enjoys strong alignment with significant evidence-based research across academic journals, governmental priorities, and established and emerging theoretical frameworks for positive youth development.
YPI through the years
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YPI was developed by the Toskan Casale Foundation (founded in 2001, by Frank Toskan, Victor Casale, and Julie Toskan-Casale), a family foundation situated in Toronto, Canada, that is dedicated to supporting and strengthening local, community-based social service agencies.
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YPI was first piloted in 2002, at Royal St. George's College, in Toronto.
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In 2003, YPI took place in 29 schools across Ontario.
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By 2005, YPI was being run in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
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In partnership with the Institute for Philanthropy, YPI International was launched in 2006 and piloted in London, England.
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The following year YPI was in 10 schools across England.
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YPI launched in Scotland in 2008 with the support of Sir Ian Wood and The Wood Foundation.
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In 2009, the YPI launched in New York City, and through 2010 and 2011 began to be run in Atlantic Canada and Northern Ireland.
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In 2010, YPI was presented with the Best Practice Award in Civic Education by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
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In 2011, YPI's president Julie Tuskan-Casale was honored with the first-ever Premier's Award for Philanthropy in Education.
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In 2012, YPI celebrated over £1 million donated to UK charities throughout England, Northern Ireland and Scotland since 2006.
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YPI celebrated its 10th anniversary during the 2012-2013 academic year.
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In 2014, YPI celebrated over ten million dollars donated internationally to community-based, social service charities.