Focus on Youth organizes and supports various camps across the Greater Toronto Area while also placing students in schools to assist custodial staff. This initiative offers students meaningful opportunities to develop a strong work ethic. At the same time, it benefits the custodial team by providing extra help with hard-to-reach areas and improving overall efficiency in school maintenance. This can be seen in St. Basils, where Focus On Youth custodians are hired to help ensure a tidy and clean environment in the school.
Like any work environment, custodial duties vary slightly from school to school, but the core responsibilities remain the same. Typically, staff clean lockers, furniture, desks, and baseboards, sweep and mop floors as well as taking out any trash. Their schedules are also similar, with tasks divided by area and a designated lunch break. Since school layouts differ, custodians adapt their strategies to maximize efficiency and complete tasks promptly.
Josiah Aguilar and Kevin Justin begin their workday promptly at 8:30 AM by consulting their supervisor about pending tasks or additional responsibilities they can address without disrupting the custodial team’s workflow. Throughout the day, they take on various assignments, prioritizing thoroughness, cleanliness, and safety in completing each one. During breaks and lunch, they meet in the staff room to discuss strategies for improving efficiency, whether streamlining cleaning processes or coordinating furniture moves.
As a team, Josiah and Kevin emphasize mutual comfort and safety while maintaining a strong work ethic. They recognize that custodial work extends far beyond basic tasks like trash removal and locker care. To them, the role represents collaboration, diligence, and a shared commitment to maintaining a safe environment, not just for themselves but for the entire school community.
The Focus on Youth custodial staff are hardworking, dependable, and dedicated. They consistently strive to maintain clean and sanitary school environments, playing a crucial role in ensuring facilities are ready for the new school year. While their work may be less visible than that of camp counsellors, their contributions are equally vital to the success of Focus on Youth.
VIDEO RECAP
SUMMARY
Organization:
Focus on Youth
Location:
St. Basil-The-Great College School
20 Starview Ln, Toronto, ON M9M 3B2
Dates and Times:
July 4th-August 8th
8:30am-3:30pm
Contact Information:
focus.onyouth@tcdsb.org
Website:
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