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BOLT Charitable FoundationBOLT Charitable Foundation
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Programs
    • BOLT Financial Awards
    • Day of Discovery
    • Job Shadowing
    • Skilled Training
    • Speak Outs
  • Partners
  • News
  • Sponsorship
  • Donate
  • Contact Us

About Us

History

BOLT was launched by Tridel in 2009 and was established as a charitable foundation on January 1st, 2013. It started as a simple concept – to provide awareness and learning opportunities for youth associated with The Children’s Aid Society of Toronto to the field of construction. By establishing additional community, government and industry partnerships, BOLT has since expanded to reach an even broader range of youth.

Through various fundraising events supported by our industry and trade partners, and through Tridel’s internal fundraising initiatives, BOLT has provided over 500 scholarships for postsecondary education and training for deserving youth interested in pursuing a career in construction.

In September 2014, BOLT provides the framework to assist youth in embarking on a career in construction. BOLT goes ‘beyond the classroom,’ to help connect under-resourced youth to meaningful and rewarding employment in the industry.

BOLT Mission Statement

Our mission is to assist under-resourced youth connect to careers in construction.

BOLT Goals & Objectives
  • To create awareness and offer exposure to the diverse career opportunities in the construction industry by hosting Speak Outs, Days of Discovery, and Job Shadowing.
  • To raise funds to offer financial awards to under-resourced youth wishing to pursue training or a post-secondary program leading to a career in construction.
  • To foster trade and industry partnerships to provide employment, training and mentorship opportunities for youth and to secure the support of community and government partnerships required for the success of the program.
  • “What I liked best about the event was how well coordinated and engaging it was. Everyone at Tridel who helped to facilitate the tour was very kind, open to questions and were very helpful. They created a comfortable environment for all the participants which helped to maximize how much knowledge I could takeaway from the event.”

    Kumaran
    Day of Discovery Participant
  • “Being able to see units that weren’t near completion to units that were near completion. It helped me understand what comes first and the different steps that need to be taken in construction prior to moving on to the next step.”

    Tabitha
    Day of Discovery Participant
  • “The best part about the BOLT event was the tour taken with the project manager. It’s a career choice I’m very interested in, so getting to understand what’s it’s like for such a massive project was fantastic. Listening to him explain to us the steps needed for various sections of the project and seeing the before of something great was fascinating. The kindness I received from the George Brown counsellors was a plus as well!”

    Angelo
    Day of Discovery Participant
  • “What I liked best about the event was how informative, kind and passionate everyone who helped facilitate the event was. Everyone was welcoming and engaging with the participants as they created a comfortable space for us to ask questions. This helped me to gain the most out of the event, and leave with a better understanding of the construction process.”

    Kumaran
    Day of Discovery Participant
  • “The best part about job shadowing was the tour taken with the project manager. It’s a career choice I’m now very interested in, so getting to understand what it’s like for such a massive project like The Well was fantastic. Listening to him explain to us the steps needed for various sections of the project and seeing the before of something great was fascinating.”

    Angelo
    Job Shadowing Participant
  • “What I enjoyed the most was being able to see what trades I wanted to see and know more about, especially not knowing anything about them at all. I personally would recommend job shadowing to interested candidates because, based on my experience in the BOLT program, I got to learn actual lifelong skills and knowledge that I would need for my future career. I got to meet, learn from and work with amazingly skilled people.”

    Avani
    Job Shadowing Participant
  • “Everyone was extremely kind and willing to teach and show me as much as possible. When it comes to looking to work in the trades, I now know for a fact that anything that has to do with hands on work is something that I want to pursue as my career. After the program, BOLT helped me enrol into the Hammer Heads program and now I’m working as a rodworker with Local 721.”

    Hanibal
    Job Shadowing Participant
  • “Through job shadowing, one person stood out to me – a Health and Safety Specialist. Cheryl was extremely kind and knowledgeable, and I admired the fact that she was a woman working in construction. She truly inspired me while I shadowed her on site. After the program I was hired as a site administrator and 10 months later I was promoted to Health and Safety Specialist. As a result of BOLT, I was introduced to people and opportunities I did not think were possible for me. This program has given me an opportunity to better my life and the lives of those around me.”

    Erika
    Job Shadowing Participant
  • “I just want to thank you for running this scholarship. I love how it did not just look at academic achievements but you as an overall person. It gives people like me an opportunity to succeed in college and beyond.”

    Clint Matos
    Scholarship Recipient, Centennial College
  • “I am very grateful and honoured for receiving your scholarship. I hope that with the education I have earned, I can become a successful and a well-known Project Manager. If the situation ever rises in the future where I can be of assistance to your company, just remember I am forever in your debt and will gladly help the partners that held my hand throughout this entire journey.”

    Franc Fishka
    Scholarship Recipient, George Brown College
  • “Thank you very much again for your generosity, support, and investment in my education. This award is changing people’s lives and it would not be possible without you. I guarantee you that I will work extremely hard and give back something back to others in the future. Your generosity has inspired me to do so.”

    Roberto Ortiz
    Scholarship Recipient, George Brown College
  • “This scholarship gives me the opportunity to pursue a new education pathway which I enjoy and will hopefully bring much benefit overall. As a passionate person towards the environment, becoming an architect will provide me the chance to give towards our community by helping to build and promote more sustainable buildings. My goal is to help make the society we live in more environmentally friendly, while maintaining a comfortable and safe setting for all.”

    Jessica Vazquez
    Scholarship Recipient, George Brown College
  • “I feel extremely fortunate to have been selected to receive this scholarship and your generous contribution will help me pay for my tuition and expenses for the academic year. As a fourth-year student in the Construction Management program at George Brown College, I have had the opportunity to study various aspects of the construction industry. I aspire to continue to further my studies and obtain a Master’s Degree in the construction industry. Without a doubt, this scholarship will play a key role in achieving my educational dreams.”

    Daniela Garcia
    Scholarship Recipient, George Brown College
  • “BOLT has helped me determine what I really want to do when I finish my program.”

    Jill Stagg
    Scholarship Recipient, George Brown College
  • “The kids learn about what it’s like to be a landscape architect or designer and they see a whole new world of possibility in terms of where they can go with their future.”

    Carla Cernic
    Student Support Services, TDSB

Leo DelZotto, BOLT Founder

Leo-Delzotto

Mr. Leo DelZotto is the Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tridel Group of Companies. In 2009, Mr. DelZotto founded the BOLT program to provide under-resourced youth in the GTA with education and training opportunities that lead to rewarding careers in the construction industry. Through his leadership and passion to create opportunities, Mr. DelZotto has helped foster additional trade and industry partnerships to provide employment, training, and mentorship for BOLT youth. With Leo DelZotto’s support, the BOLT Foundation became a registered charity in 2013 and has continued to grow its mandate and reach into the GTA community.

Meet the BOLT Team

Raly Chakarova

Raly Chakarova

Executive Director

Raly Chakarova became the Executive Director of BOLT in September…

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Stephanie Andreucci

Stephanie Andreucci

Programs Coordinator

Stephanie Andreucci has been with the BOLT Foundation since 2016.…

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Asal Afshar

Asal Afshar

Employment Specialist

Asal Afshar has been with the BOLT Foundation since 2019.…

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Alasis Mohamed

Alasis Mohamed

Placement & Employment Specialist

Alasis has over 10 years’ experience in leading mentorship, education…

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Krystal McHugh

Krystal McHugh

Outreach & Communications Specialist

Krystal is a marketing and communications professional with over 6…

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To inspire a new generation of tradespeople by providing access to education, training and employment in construction.

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Contact

BOLT Charitable Foundation
4800 Dufferin Street,
Toronto, ON M3H 5S9
Phone: 416-661-9290
Email: bolt@tridel.com

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