Inner City Youth Development Association

What Inner City Youth Development Association does

Inner City Youth Development Association (ICYDA) is a registered non-profit charity based in Edmonton, Alberta, founded in 1990, that operates Inner City High School and the Inner City Youth Engagement Program to serve marginalized Indigenous and other urban youth aged 15-19. The organization's high school program delivers diploma pathways alongside wraparound support services including a hot lunch and snack program, cultural programming (on-site Elder three days a week, smudging, beading, sweat lodge ceremonies, talking circles), a court worker program, evening outreach, popular theatre, and the Negan Tepeh cultural program. Outreach is conducted at the street level (including Whyte Avenue) and bridges youth into the high school, with in-person registration and a recently established waitlist signaling demand outpacing capacity.

The organization runs a free summer drop-in program (Tuesdays-Fridays, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM) and integrates post-secondary exposure through university tours (e.g., MacEwan University). There is no proprietary technology stack; service delivery is anchored in a single owned facility at 11205 101 St., Edmonton, leased at a subsidized rate from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, which purchased and renovated the building in 2010.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, grants, and sponsorships, including individual and corporate giving, securities and mutual fund donations, and major support from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, EPCOR's Community Essentials Program, the Future Generations Foundation (formerly NIB Trust Fund), TELUS, Servus Credit Union, and a $2.9 million CAD federal NetZero Retrofit Grant (2023). ICYDA employs approximately 15 staff, is led by founder/COO Joe Cloutier, and has accumulated a multi-decade track record of regional awards (Salute to Excellence, Alberta Centennial Medal, EOCF Legacy Project, TELUS Innovation Award) recognizing its programming for at-risk youth.

Name

Inner City Youth Development Association

Legal name

Inner City Youth Development Association

Website

https://innercity.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Inner City Youth Development Association is an Edmonton-based registered charity operating Inner City High School and a street-level Youth Engagement Program that provide diploma pathways and wraparound cultural, social, and nutritional support to marginalized Indigenous and urban youth aged 15-19.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Education and Wraparound Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAM

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAJAEAG

Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/Alternative & At-Risk K–12 Education (Continuation, Recovery, Juvenile)

SECONDARYBPAGADAO

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYEDAKANAJ

Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

Keywords

• Youth development services
• Alternative high school
• Indigenous youth programs
• Wraparound support services
• Community youth outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization accepts one-time and monthly online donations from individuals, groups, and corporations. Donations fund wraparound programming including hot lunch and snack programs, in-house youth support services, cultural supports, and other services for marginalized youth.
2. Securities and Mutual Funds Donations: Accepts donations of securities and mutual funds as an additional revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Inner City Youth Development Association operates Inner City High School and the Inner City Youth Engagement Program, providing alternative high school diploma pathways and street-level outreach to Edmonton's marginalized Indigenous and other urban youth (ages 15-19). The organization delivers a wraparound service model that combines education with cultural programming, food services, counselling, transportation assistance, and court support to help youth overcome intergenerational trauma, poverty, and justice or childcare system involvement.

Product overview

Inner City Youth Development Association operates as a unified wraparound service model centered on two core offerings: Inner City High School (providing high school diploma programs for marginalized youth) and the Youth Engagement Program (street-level outreach services). Additional support programs including Summer Programming, Evening Outreach, Court Worker Program, Popular Theatre, Negan Tepeh cultural programming, and a Food/Lunch Program form an integrated support ecosystem designed to help Edmonton's at-risk youth overcome barriers including intergenerational trauma, justice system involvement, and poverty.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inner City High School: A unique high school under ICYDA providing education to marginalized Indigenous and other urban youth, offering pathways to high school diploma completion.
• Inner City Youth Engagement Program
• Negan Tepeh
• Summer Drop-In Program

Products and services

• Inner City High School An alternative high school serving Edmonton's marginalized Indigenous and other urban youth ages 15-19, offering pathways to high school diploma completion alongside wraparound support services.
• Youth Engagement Program A street-level outreach program that builds relationships and trust with at-risk youth, bridging them toward educational goals and brighter futures.
• Summer Drop-In Program A free summer drop-in program running Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, typically early July through mid-August at Inner City High School.
• Negan Tepeh Program A cultural support program for Indigenous youth supported by The Future Generations Foundation (formerly NIB Trust Fund), providing cultural programming and identity-strengthening activities.
• Evening Outreach After-school and evening outreach programming that helps youth build relationships, trust, and provides a space to hang out and connect with peers, including after-school outreach on Whyte Avenue.
• Popular Theatre A theatrical program engaging youth in performing arts as part of the wraparound educational approach.
• Court Worker Program Support services for youth involved with the justice system, helping them navigate legal challenges while maintaining connections to education.
• Food and Lunch Program A hot lunch and snack program providing nutritious meals daily to students, supported by donors including the EPCOR Community Essentials Program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10-12 students graduate with full high school diplomas annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TELUS World of Science EdmontoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership around Indigenous education and Indigenous Ways of Knowing program featuring Elder Albert Marshal's concept of 'Two Eyed Seeing' - how Indigenous culture and science can enhance Western culture and science. Leigh Sheldon provides special presentations on two-eyed seeing.
• Art Gallery of AlbertaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerously allowed youth and staff to visit powerful exhibitions exploring Indigenous heritage, strength, and the modern warrior, including the nêpêhkâsowinowâk exhibit.
• Servus Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsorship for the Fall Classic 5 & 10 miler road race.
• Original Joe'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided free breakfast to all runners and walkers at the Superhero Run/Walk events.
• SpudminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided organic fruit to all runners and walkers at the Superhero Run/Walk.
• Orange Theory FitnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided free massage coupons at the Superhero Run/Walk event.
• Hök Nik CreativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelped with promotional materials in print and on the web for Fall Classic event.
• The Running RoomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized and hosted the Fall Classic road race and Superhero Run/Walk events.
• McCallum PrintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided printing services for promotional materials for the Fall Classic.
• Lance CardinalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServed as MC at the NetZero Retrofit Grant announcement. Indigenous designer and artist from Bigstone Cree First Nations who designed the Edmonton Oilers Turtle Island Collection.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Frontier College: Canadian nonprofit providing literacy, education, and youth programming for underserved communities. Comparable youth-education mandate and nonprofit operating model.
• Bissell Centre: Edmonton nonprofit addressing poverty and homelessness through housing, family services, education, and community programs targeting inner-city residents. Directly comparable population, wraparound model, and Edmonton geography.
• Boyle Street Community Services: Edmonton-based nonprofit serving inner-city Indigenous and marginalized populations through housing, education, employment, and wraparound support. Highly comparable mandate, geography, and beneficiary profile to ICYDA.
• Native Counselling Services of Alberta: Alberta-wide Indigenous organization providing counselling, justice support, and community programs. Comparable Indigenous-focused wraparound services and the same award body for ICYDA's 2009 recognition.
• Indspire: National Indigenous-led charity funding Indigenous youth through scholarships, bursaries, and education programs. Directly comparable Indigenous-youth education and capacity-building mission.
• Pathways to Education Canada: National nonprofit supporting low-income youth to complete high school and transition to post-secondary through academic, financial, social, and one-on-one support. Direct comparison on at-risk-youth high-school completion model.

Regional players

• NiGiNan Housing Ventures: Indigenous-led Edmonton organization providing supportive housing and wraparound services for Indigenous youth and families. Comparable Indigenous-mandated wraparound model serving overlapping populations in the same region.
• YWCA Edmonton: Edmonton-based nonprofit serving women, girls, and vulnerable populations through housing, education, and advocacy. Overlapping beneficiary base and wraparound services but broader demographic focus.

Emerging players

• Ever Active Schools: Alberta-based nonprofit promoting physical activity, health, and well-being among school-aged children. Adjacent youth-services focus but more niche than ICYDA's wraparound education offering.

Others

• Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work: National nonprofit supporting people with disabilities in employment and training. Thematically related as an education-to-employment-transition provider for marginalized populations, but not a direct service-delivery competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/innercityhighschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/innercityhigh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icyda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inner City Youth Development Association