Returning Twenty-Two Years Later (John’s story)

Youth Without Shelter’s executive director was quite taken aback when she was told an ex-resident was at the front office waiting to speak with her. There was nothing unusual about an ex-resident coming to visit, but this time she found a 41 year old man waiting for her.

John, now living in Newfoundland, was in Toronto for a vacation and wanted to say hello and show his three children where his life was turned around.

In 1986, at the young age of 16, John was found by police sleeping under a bridge and they took him to the newly opened Youth Without Shelter. There, he received shelter, food, and job search assistance. After landing a job, John stayed at the shelter until he was able to rent a small place of his own.

Now, John is the owner of a $1Million business building and renovating homes. He gives back to the community by sponsoring children’s hockey and soccer leagues.

Stories

Click here to hear a youth share his story.

Impact Report

To view our 2010-2011 Impact Report click here 

To request a copy of our 2010-2011 Impact Report be mailed to you e-mail communications@yws.on.ca.

To view our 2010-2011 audited financial statements click here

To view our 2009-2010 audited financial statements click here

In 2010/2011 your donation provided:

• 83,035 nutritious meals and snacks
• 5,000 brown bag lunches supported youth as they attended school or work
• 201 youth were able to make their budget go further by picking up a food/hygiene package at Supper Club
• 97 youth moved into their own homes
• 221 monthly transit passes enabled youth in the Stay in School Program to continue their education
• 6 youth graduated from high school in June 2011
• 1,418 one-on-one counselling sessions guided youth in mapping out their next steps
• 1,000s of school supplies, hygiene products and clothing items helped youth reach for their goals

By the dollars:

• $25 will provide one youth with a safe place to sleep for one night at YWS
• $35 will provide one food/hygiene package for one youth as they move out
• $50 will provide TTC tokens for one month to help a youth look for a job, visit a doctor and find a place to live
• $100 will provide a TTC pass for one month for one student in the Stay in School Program to travel to school
• $150 will provide one On the Move moving package for one youth with the basic necessities such as bed linens, pillow, blankets
• $200 will provide juice for one week for Youth Without Shelter’s 50 youth residents
• $300 will meet the school needs of two youths in the Stay in School Program for one year