
History
In 1986 a group of teachers and guidance counsellors created Youth without Shelter (YWS) as they were frustrated with the lack of safe, emergency housing and support programs for their students. Since that time YWS has helped more than 15,000 homeless youth to build their confidence and life-skills and to find long-term stable housing and jobs. YWS is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are dedicated to providing shelter and support programs in a safe environment, with the goal of getting youth off the streets permanently.
The Youth They Serve

Age
YWS works with youth from the ages 16 to 24. NOTE ON COSENT/CONFIDENTIALITY: The privacy and confidentiality of all their residents are respected. None of the information regarding residents are shared without their consent on whether information can be shared, how much and whom it can be shared with. (Exceptions are when there is a likelihood for self-harm or harm to others.)

Sex Orientation
YWS is dedicated to provide services to youth inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations. They have a policy/procedure that is followed for transsexual/transgender/two spirited youth to ensure that their specific needs are taken care of.

Religion
YWS welcomes youth with all religious beliefs. They have a zero tolerance policy to any form of harassment and/or discrimination.

Race and Ethnocultural Background
YWS welcomes youth of all races and ethnocultural backgrounds. They have a zero tolerance policy to any form of harassment and/or discrimination. As a result of its geographical location (Etobicoke, near airport), YMS has a high likelihood of residents who are new to Canada.

Accessibility
YWS is in compliance with Ontario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005 (A.O.D.A.) They are a wheelchair accessible and special needs friendly facility. YWS provides full wheelchair ramp, ground floor bedrooms and wheelchair accessible bathrooms to ensure comfortable living conditions for our youth. YWS staff are fully trained to recognize the needs of youth who have specific requirements.
Mental Health Services
Youth at YWS are offered one on one mental health services such as therapy and counselling sessions. Therapy sessions are ongoing and happen twice a week. If necessary, as in situations with addiction, psychiatry services are also provided. Counsellors that work with YWS come from external agencies and are matched with youth to meet youths' specific individual/cultural needs if requested. All youth work with a case manager to approach and meet their goals.
Programs

Emergency Residential Program
This program provides emergency residencies for up to 33 per night. In addition to safe shelter, other urgent youth needs such as nutritious food, crisis counselling, new clothing, and hygiene products are taken care of. Each youth is partnered with a case manager to identify their goals and are guided to take daily steps towards their goals. (For example, house searching).
Contact the Emergency Residential Program:
416.748.0110 ext. 0

Life Skills Program
This program works with twelve partner agencies to help youth develop life skills through a one on one basis. A holistic, personalized perspective is taken to help communication/interpersonal skills, cooking, personal hygiene, and time management. It is adaptive to youth schedules and is focused on identifying individual strengths, challenges, goals and dreams.
Contact the Life Skills Program: 416.748.0110 ext. 28
Partner Agencies include:
Arts Etobicoke: art programming
Breakaway Addition Services: substance abuse
Justice for Children and Youth: youth legal rights
Ontario Works: service awareness
Project Humanity: theatre programming
YMCA: gambling awareness

Employment Program
This program prepares youth with skills that support employment opportunities. Guidance on skills such as resume-writing and interview skills are provided on a one on one basis. This program is committed to removing any barriers that youth may have to employment (literacy, legal situations, access to work attire, financial support/resources etc.). It also provides access to training, volunteering, and professional shadowing opportunities. Combined with the Life Skills program, the Employment program functions to connect employment resources with life skills for youth to help them transition to stable, independent living through secure employment.
Contact the Employment Program: 416.748.0110 ext. 42

Housing & After-Care Program
YWS’s immediate priority is “Housing First” which includes helping youth in house searching and placements while overcoming any barriers they may face. This program provides youth with educational workshops on specific life skills that include eviction prevention, living with room mates, tenant rights are taught/shared in addition to independent skills like cooking, budgeting, nutrition and more.
YWS’s After-Care is provided after housing to former residents to maintain stability. Services such as laundry, food bank, housing counselling and social programs are offered. As a result of higher demand for after-care, a further outreach program is also available. This supports youth who live independently with check ins, visits to neighborhoods and other additional resources.
Contact the Housing & After-Care Program: 416.748.0110 ext. 27

Stay in School Program
This program offers services from volunteer tutors to an on-site computer lap to help youth with homework. Additionally, aid in housing, clothing and hygiene products are also provided. Youth will also have access to transit passes, basic school supplies and clothing for school, based on donations. Packed lunches are also available for school days. The youth in this program are expected to maintain their grades, regular school attendance and participate in household chores
Contact the Stay in School Program: 416.748.0110 ext. 29

Educational Outreach Program
This program takes on a “One Youth at a Time” approach and facilitates interactive workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students about youth homelessness. It challenges stereotypes and myths about homelessness and builds acceptance, empathy and knowledge. It also provides access to resources that prevent and respond to family emergencies.
If you are interested in booking a workshop for your class or group, book an educational workshop or contact our Community Engagement and Education Specialist at education@yws.on.ca or at 416-748-0110 ext. 62.
Contact
Youth Without Shelter
References:
“Home.” T4C, 27 Feb. 2020, time4changenow.com/.
Levy, Joel, and Erin Nicole Davis. “Youth Without Shelter Is Protecting and Providing for Our Most Vulnerable.” Toronto Guardian, 3 Oct. 2016, torontoguardian.com/2016/10/youth-without-shelter/.
Youth Without Shelter, www.yws.ca/.