Drive & Thrive Program

Drive & Thrive is Highway to Hope’s flagship 16-week program created to empower Black and Indigenous youth from low-income communities in Toronto, Ontario. Our mission is simple: remove barriers, provide training, and guide participants toward stable, well-paying trucking careers that create lasting independence.

From day one, participants are enrolled in our partner trucking school for hands-on AZ licence training while also attending weekly program sessions focused on trucking education, financial literacy, guest speakers, and progress check-ins. During the week, our staff stay connected by phone and through visits to the trucking school to make sure every participant has the support they need.

By the end of the 16 weeks, participants are prepared and supported to complete their road test and earn their licence. We celebrate each cohort with a graduation ceremony that recognizes achievement and helps graduates take their first steps into the industry.

Drive & Thrive is designed for Black and Indigenous youth ages 18 to 29 who live in underserved/low-income communities in the City of Toronto and are ready to pursue a career in the transportation industry.

Applicants must:

• Identify as Black or Indigenous
• Be between 18 and 29 years old
• Currently reside in Toronto Community Housing or in an underserved/low-income community in Toronto, Ontario
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Hold a valid full Ontario G licence
• Be willing to work as a cross-border long-haul truck driver
• Hold or be able to obtain a valid passport and meet U.S. entry requirements for cross-border commercial driving
• Have no criminal record that would prevent employment or entry into the United States
• Be able to pass required pre-employment drug screening
• Have a clean driver’s abstract that meets training and employer partner requirements
• Meet Ontario’s medical, vision, and commercial driver licensing requirements
• Be able to commit to the full 16-week program
• Have completed Grade 10 or an equivalent level of education
• Be able to read, speak, and understand English well enough to complete commercial driver training and meet workplace requirements
• Meet all admission, safety, screening, and employment requirements established by Highway to Hope and its approved training and employer partners

Priority is given to eligible youth living in Toronto Community Housing and youth from underserved/low-income communities across Toronto.

(No previous trucking experience is required. Final eligibility will be confirmed through Highway to Hope’s application, interview, document review, and screening process.)

• Enrollment in a licensed partner trucking school for full AZ licence training
• Transportation support to ensure you can access training consistently
• Safety gear and study materials provided
• Hands on guidance from certified truck drivers throughout the program
• Financial literacy and career development sessions led by professionals
• Regular check ins, school visits, and one on one support from staff
• A graduation celebration and certificate of completion
• Employment support and help connecting with reputable trucking companies

Weekly Format

• Monday to Friday: AZ licence training at the partner trucking school (training hours follow the school's schedule)
• Sunday program session (10 AM to 2 PM):
  • First 1.5 hours: Structured trucking lessons  from our 16-week curriculum
  • Break (1 hour)
  • Final 1.5 hours: Financial literacy and life skill training from our 16-week curriculum
• Guest Speakers: Invited throughout the program to share insights, inspire participants, and provide guidance on both trucking and financial success

Support Throughout the Week

• Staff call participants to provide encouragement and accountability
• Founders and staff visit the trucking school to assist and mentor students
• Guest speakers contribute expertise on trucking, financial management, and career development

1. Introduction to the Trucking Industry
2. Getting Your AZ Licence: Step-by-Step Guide
3. Pre-Trip Inspections and Safety Protocols
4. Driving Techniques: Maneuvering and Backing
5. Understanding Logbooks and Hours of Service Regulations
6. Truck Maintenance and Basic Repairs
7. Understanding Trucking Technology
8. Cargo Securement and Weight Distribution
9. Fuel Efficiency and Cost Management
10. Dealing with Weather and Road Conditions
11. Health and Wellness for Truck Drivers
12. Truck Driver Rights and Regulations
13. Route Planning and Trip Optimization
14. Customer Service and Professionalism in Trucking
15. Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Basics
16. Transitioning from Company Driver to Owner-Operator

1. Introduction to Financial Literacy
2. Creating a Zero-Based Budget
3. Managing Debt Effectively
4. Building an Emergency Fund
5. Saving Strategies for Short- and Long-Term Goals
6. Maximizing Income and Side Opportunities
7. Understanding Your Paycheque and Taxes
8. Building Strong Credit and Mastering Your Credit Score
9. Understanding Credit Cards and Interest Rates
10. Investing Basics for Beginners
11. Building Wealth Through Smart Investing
12. Retirement Planning and Financial Independence
13. Insurance: Protecting Your Future
14. Loans and Avoiding Predatory Lending
15. Setting Financial Goals and Building Wealth
16. Creating a Financial Plan for the Future

• Barrier Removal: Costs for licensing, safety gear, and transportation are covered so finances are never a barrier
• Holistic Training: Participants gain commercial driver's licence information and essential life skills through workshops
• Mentorship and Guidance: Licensed truck drivers and guest speakers provide practical advice and real-world experience
• Ongoing Support: Weekly sessions, regular check-ins, and school visits keep youth accountable and encouraged
• Career Launch: Graduates receive employment support and help connecting with reputable trucking companies

At the end of each cohort, we host a graduation ceremony where participants receive a certificate of completion and are recognized for their hard work. This moment marks the start of stable careers, financial independence, and brighter futures.

Drive & Thrive is more than a training program. It is a movement to break cycles of poverty by creating legal, stable, and rewarding careers. Every graduate represents a story of resilience and possibility, showing that with opportunity and support, youth can transform their lives and communities.