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YAAACE is a youth organization founded by Devon Thompson and Devon Jones. The organization's mandate is to create a culture of high academic achievement, social and civic responsibility among its members and establish an infrastructure that will bridge the gap between young people North and South of Finch. Y.A.A.A.C.E. is committed to empowering young people; through developing self-confidence, discipline, a healthy self-image, inspiring occupational aspirations, instilling commitment to all levels of schooling (elementary, secondary and post secondary), fostering racial and ethnic identity. Y.A.A.A.C.E. seeks to forge meaningful partnerships with parents, mentors, and organizations with whom the youth we serve interact.

Devon Thompson commenced his tenure volunteering as a program coordinator with the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Department at the Westview Centennial Secondary School in 1996 before securing employment with the said department. He is instrumental in implementing various grassroots programs for young people in the Jane/Finch community and is also responsible for the creation of various grassroots athletic initiatives, which currently accommodate up to three hundred and fifty youths between ages four and nineteen. Mr. Thompson's programs and initiatives have been proven successful as it has enabled a significant amount of youth to develop the ability and skills, both athletically and academically, to enter and complete college and university degrees. A number of these youth received scholarships from various universities in the USA. Mr. Thompson coached several teams for Toronto 5.O in addition to one of the top ranked high school Junior teams in Canada (Father Henry Carr).

Devon Jones commenced his tenure volunteering in the Jane/Finch community at the C.W. Jeffries Secondary School in the capacity of a tutor to the Senior and Junior boys’ basketball teams in 1997 while an undergraduate at York University. Mr. Jones subsequently completed a Bachelor in Education and has been employed at Brookview Middle School since 1999. Mr. Jones is currently a Masters Candidate at York University in Faculty of Education (area of study): explore if there are correlations between the impact of hegemony, racialization, marginalization and the subsequent construction of the neurosis, dis-alienation, racial dissonance, depersonalization and its intended or unintended consequences (issues prevalent to black youth: low academic output, high dropout or push out rate, low enrolment in post secondary institution high incarceration rates and inevitably high homicide rates). Subject of study: Emanuel Osae and Jordan Manners past students of Mr. Jones. Emmanuel Osae was charged with First Degree Murder in April 2007. Jordan Manners was killed on May 23rd/2007. read more