Turn the Town Teal 2026: Open Doors for Local Youth

This September, Youth HQ is inviting businesses across our community to Turn the Town Teal in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Month and the Open Door Campaign.

Right now, 65 young people are looking for a path forward and someone willing to walk it with them. Every day, youth in our community are waiting for connection, guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to help them reach their full potential. While mentorship is one powerful way to make a difference, there are many ways volunteers, advocates, donors, and community champions can help open doors for local youth.

Throughout September, businesses, community organizations, and residents are invited to join a community-wide awareness movement that transforms foyers, reception areas, storefronts, and workplaces into vibrant teal displays that spark conversations and inspire action. The goal is simple: make the need visible and help our community understand the impact that caring adults and engaged volunteers can have in a young person’s life.

How Businesses Can Participate

Participating businesses are encouraged to set up a Turn the Town Teal Awareness Table in a public-facing space such as a foyer, reception area, waiting room, lobby, or storefront. These displays will help showcase the message that 65 local youth are currently waiting for mentors while highlighting the many ways community members can support Youth HQ and local youth initiatives.

Each participating business will receive a Turn the Town Teal Starter Kit from Youth HQ. The kit will include campaign materials, awareness resources, Open Door Campaign information, and posters featuring QR codes that visitors can quickly scan to learn more about volunteer opportunities, mentorship programs, donation options, and ways to get involved. Interested community members can connect directly with Youth HQ and register their interest in helping local youth with just a few clicks.

Businesses are encouraged to think beyond the starter kit and make their displays uniquely their own. Decorate with teal, create interactive elements, engage your staff, and find creative ways to showcase the number 65. Whether it’s 65 teal balloons, 65 paper stars, 65 footprints, 65 words of encouragement, or a completely original concept, every display helps create awareness and generate meaningful conversations.

How to Register

Registration Opens: August 6

Registration Closes: August 21

Businesses interested in participating can register by emailing:

events@YouthHQ.ca

When you register, the Youth HQ team will provide campaign information, answer questions, and help you plan your Turn the Town Teal display.

Starter Kit Delivery

Following the close of registration on August 21, the Youth HQ team will coordinate delivery of all Turn the Town Teal Starter Kits during the final week of August. This timeline gives participating businesses time to set up their awareness tables, add custom teal elements, and create engaging displays before the September campaign launch.

Help Spread the Message

Turn the Town Teal isn’t just about decorating a space. It’s about creating community awareness.

Throughout September, participating businesses are encouraged to:

• Share photos and videos of their teal displays on social media.
• Challenge other businesses and organizations to participate.
• Encourage staff, customers, and visitors to scan the campaign QR codes.
• Share stories, facts, and messages about youth mentorship and volunteering.
• Help amplify the message that 65 local youth are waiting for support.

Every post, share, conversation, and display helps build awareness and brings more attention to the opportunities available for volunteers, mentors, donors, and community supporters.

A Campaign Built on Awareness

Turn the Town Teal is first and foremost an awareness campaign. It exists to make the need visible, spark community conversations, and help people understand how volunteering, mentorship, advocacy, donations, and community involvement can open doors for local youth. The Open Door Campaign reinforces this message by showing what becomes possible when a young person has consistent support, encouragement, and someone who believes in them.

The Message is Simple

One volunteer can make a difference.
One mentor can change a story.
One caring adult can open a door.

This September, let’s fill our community with teal, inspire meaningful conversations, and show 65 local youth that they are seen, valued, and supported.

Register Your Business. Turn the Town Teal. Open Doors.

Email events@YouthHQ.ca between August 6 and August 21 to register your business, receive your starter kit, and join a community-wide effort to raise awareness, inspire action, and help open doors for local youth.