2024 Partners
We assist marginalized young people who are or have been involved, through no fault of their own, in Ontario’s Child Protection Services and who have significant histories of trauma, abuse, and neglect. Our intended objectives for our target population are to create positive and meaningful connections with family, community, and culture; strengthen a sense of belonging; increase school engagement, high school graduation, and post-secondary enrolment; improve mental and physical health; secure long-term and stable housing; and build strong support networks young people can rely on for life.
Our vision of a world where all young people have a sense of belonging with people who love and care about them guides our evidence-based Building Connections program. Our model of service operates with the knowledge that strong, long-term connections to people and support networks create better outcomes for isolated children and youth from foster care than simply gaining skills in an isolated context. We help youth build relational connections with caring, non-paid adults including mentors, extended family members, and community allies who reflect their cultural identities and lived experiences. Our targeted methods of prevention achieve long-term and sustainable impact rather than short-term, temporary solutions.
We empower youth to live healthier and happier lives, with support and opportunities to contribute to a better society.
Our mission calls for societal understanding that youth homelessness has many root causes and complexities. Lack of affordable housing for example contributes to hidden homelessness, for youth who turn to couch surfing and don’t show up in the numbers. With increased understanding, we can mobilize community resources to help them transcend instability and achieve independence.
Youth Without Shelter – commonly known as ‘YWS’ – is a charity offering shelter and support for youth facing homelessness in the GTA. Since our founding in 1986, when a group of teachers came together to create a safe place for youth after seeing the need within their classrooms, we have been providing client-focused services in a non-judgmental environment for youth aged 16 – 24. Located in North Etobicoke, we are a house where a youth’s culture and needs are understood, and where each youth can receive shelter, one-on-one guidance, mental health and wellness supports, and training, through our wrap-around model of programming. All operations are trauma-informed and designed to build self-esteem and resiliency, and focus on personal strengths. Together, with our experienced team of staff, we recognize the individual needs of each youth we serve, and empower them to discover their own unique path out of homelessness, and to live responsibly and independently within our society.
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada is our country’s leading charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth and families involved in the child welfare system.
​We raise and grant funds and develop high-impact programs that are delivered in partnership with 114 child- and youth-serving agencies across the country.
With the support of our donors and partners, we help children and youth involved with the child welfare system access the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Aunt Leah’s helps prevent youth from foster care from becoming homeless and vulnerable mothers from losing custody of their children.
We support youth from foster care and vulnerable moms on their path to self-sufficiency by providing housing, life skills, education, and employment services, all within a supportive community where they find the connections they need and care they deserve.