“The YMCA is so much more than just gym and swim -- we have a shelter, a drop-in space, a transitional housing program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and every little bit helps,” says Nelson Borges, director of youth outreach and intervention at the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
Homelessness is on the rise across Canada and, distressingly, a large portion of those who are unhoused are youth. In fact, young people between the ages of 16 and 24 make up roughly 20 per cent of the homeless population across the country. Here in Toronto, over 3,000 youth experience homelessness every night.
“We’re seeing a lot of people doing the best they can with the resources they have and they're trying to cope in a system that is not made to support [them],” says Borges.
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“It’s individuals who are struggling or that are supporting young people that are struggling. They could be experiencing family breakdown, abuse, poverty, or a lack of resources, so folks are coming to us to get that support and be able to plug into different resources and programs that will fill that need.”
The Wagner Green YMCA is an emergency shelter and drop-in centre where unhoused youth can find a hot meal, a warm shower and a safe place to sleep, as well as crucial support to help them return to school, find work and, ultimately, live independently in safe housing of their own.
The Wagner Green YMCA has provided housing and shelter for youth experiencing homelessness for years, offering critical support within local communities. Last year, 147 youth stayed in its emergency shelter, and 4,697 visits were made to its drop-in centre.
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The centre goes beyond meeting these young people’s immediate needs for food and housing. The shelter offers 40 beds for youth to sleep, but it’s also a place where youth can feel respected and dignified. As for the drop-in, Borges says the goal is to provide a safe place where young people can rebuild their trust in others and find services that can help them.
“Change only happens as fast as trust. These are young people who have come from a place of risk and trauma, so building that trust requires time and patience, which we definitely have,” he explains.
“Once we have that, there’s a foundation to then build upon and, from there, we are working with young people to focus on school or getting a job. Sometimes it’s navigating the immigration system or the mental health system.”
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Borges says donor support is critical for the Y to continue to offer this crucial support for those who need it most – from youth who are unhoused or experiencing substance use challenges to young people just trying to make ends meet. Donations to the charity’s shelter give youth a safe place to sleep this winter, out of the cold; nutritious meals and snacks; and access to mental health and substance use counselling, employment programs, and other supports they need to build better futures for themselves.
Borges encourages Toronto residents to visit the Y’s website to learn more about the impact the charity has on the local community. “It’s not just a donation, it’s an investment in our community, in a young person’s sense of hope and in their future.”
To learn more or to make a donation to the Y’s youth shelter and drop-in centre, visit the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s website.
As a registered charity, the YMCA of Greater Toronto addresses the most urgent needs in our community, from housing to unemployment, poverty, inequity and more. Other programming that helps people reach their potential includes licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, adults, families and seniors. Watch the Y’s heartwarming campaign video on how it has supported communities throughout the years here.
