Current and Former Resident's Voices

"Staying in this Stay in School Program has been a real breakthrough for me. At first when I came for a tour, I thought things couldn't change for the better. But I am so glad I gave it a try. In 2 days time I felt right at home. This program has helped me with better communication skills, better time management skills and it has dealt with a lot of my anger issues."

Stay in School Resident , age 17

"To all staff:  you all have 100% of my respect for taking people off the street and showing us hospitality and showing us what having a family is really like...we all love you even though we sometimes don't show it.  But that's cause none of us had a family to show us what it is like to be loved and cared for so to wrap things up I g2g."

Resident, age 21

"Thank you for getting me back on my feet.  My whole life changed since I came to YWS and I want to let you know that for the past couple of months you were my "family".  Thanks for listening to my problems, supporting me and understanding my feelings." 

Resident, age 16

" I am now attending Burnhamthorpe Adult Learning Centre, I am getting higher marks than I have ever accomplished with the help of some of the tutors that we have come to help us with projects and assignments and the support I receive from the staff members.  I am actually accomplishing something.  I never would have thought of doing had you asked me 6 months ago." 

Stay in School Resident, age 21

"Living at Youth Without Shelter was a very good experience before I came here I was unable to find myself a home for the past three months.  The programs they had were very helpful, they teach you life skill such as budgeting, tenant rights etc.  They even donated furniture to get me started.  Even after I leave I'm still able to come back and get food and personal care."

Former Resident, age 19   

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 that what I believed I could.  The work you guys do is incredible and you change more lives than you will ever know.

Former Resident, age 33