The Optimist Club of North Dorchester is proud to sponsor and support many youth programs and services in our community. Annual funds are fundraised to provide: Graduation Awards and financial assistance to:

• Lord Dorchester Secondary School

                     - Robotics Program

• Northdale Central Public School
• St. David Separate School

                     - STEM Program

• River Heights Public School Sports Programs
• Dorchester Girls & Boys Baseball
• Ringette Association
• North Dorchester Skating Club Youth Groups
• Dorchester Scouting
• Air Cadets
• UTRCA—Grade 2 River Safety Program'
• Mossley/Dorchester 4H 
• JOI (Thames Centre Junior Optimist) Club
• The Playroom Experience 
• Dorchester Firefighters 
• Dorchester Food Bank

Graduation Awards/Library/Special Projects:

• Lord Dorchester Secondary School
• Northdale Central Public School
• St. David Separate School
• River Heights Public School

In addition to community projects we also fully sponsor many programs that educate youth from leadership skills to bike safety.
Optimist Bike "Roadeo" is held each year in June at Northdale Central Public School, River Heights Public and St. David Separate Schools with over 200 children participating.

Optimist Junior Golf provides an opportunity for youth from our community to play golf and go on to a championship tournament.

HOBY Leadership. Local Grade 10 student attends a weekend at this exciting conference consisting of speaker panels, workshops and challenged thinking.

Youth Appreciation Events honour students from the local schools who have demonstrated the upholding of dignity of youth, shown sincere devotion to the welfare of others and generous and unselfish contribution to society.

Along with these sponsored programs, from time-to-time the Optimist members take on special initiatives that impact children and youth ranging from education to health. Our passion is bringing out the best in youth and we have great pride and fun fulfilling this goal.