Former residents of YWS often reconnect through email sharing their stories, here are two voices from the past.

“I would first like to introduce myself as a former resident and a success story from your program. It was June 1987 when I was dropped off at your front door because my parents didn’t want me any more. With the help of your program in as little as 2 ½ weeks I was able to find housing, part-time employment and reenrolled in school.

Today I am a Registered Social Service Worker, Community Service Worker Instructor, happily married with four children and own my own home.”

– Tracy

“I was a teenager with a lot of issues. I was on the street and getting myself into some things that I know I shouldn’t have but at the time that was how I maintained my friends. I was 17 years old, alone in a city I wasn’t familiar with and had no idea where to turn. At 18 after spending many nights in YWS and other shelters, and in some cases outstaying my welcome I turned my life around. As a youth I didn’t finish high school and found that I was young, uneducated, and living at the poverty level. At the age of 21 I entered college and once completed I went to university. I am now 33 and a seasoned social worker. I have been working with individuals with developmental disabilities for 10 years and I enjoy every moment of it. I used to say that the workers at YWS were only there for the money but I now have the same feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that they had from helping teens and youth. Thank you all for being there, for guiding me and for letting me know that I was able to accomplish more than what I believed I could The work you guys do is incredible and you change more lives than you will every know.

– Nicole

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