WE ARE GUIDED BY THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE SERVE
VISION
A community where all youth have accessible pathways to independence and a safe place to call home
OUR MISSION
Empower youth facing homelessness to reach their individual potential
The youth we support are at the heart of every decision we make. Our programs and services are guided by their experiences, needs, and aspirations, ensuring that the care we provide is meaningful, responsive, and empowering.
Many of the young people who stay with us, through circumstances beyond their control, find themselves without a safe place to regularly call home. Some experience homelessness before the age of 16, while others are survivors of abuse or abandonment, and some simply have no family at all.
By listening, responding, and standing with youth, we help turn moments of crisis into opportunities for stability, growth, and hope. Here, youth are not just housed – they are supported and empowered.
WHY WE ARE DIFFERENT
Since our founding 40 years ago, YWS has specialized in a model of care that identifies and builds on our clients’ strengths and resiliency. At YWS, we meet youth where they are, recognizing that each young person’s journey is unique and requires individualized support – not a one-size-fits-all approach. We believe there is no single path out of crisis. That’s why YWS Personal Case Managers (PCMs) partner with each youth individually to identify their needs and goals, building customized plans that support healing, growth, and long-term stability.
Throughout their journey with us – whether through our Emergency Residential Program, our Stay In School Program, or both – youth are supported every step of the way. Personal Case Managers (PCMs) meet regularly with each young person and collaborate closely with other support staff to ensure coordinated, consistent care. This support does not end once housing goals are achieved. We remain committed to helping youth maintain stability and stay successfully housed in the community. That ongoing support can include access to our food bank, use of laundry facilities, and continued connection to trusted staff and resources.
Everyone has the right to a future that is not dictated by their past.
EMERGENCY RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
STAY IN SCHOOL PROGRAM
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
HOUSING & AFTER-CARE PROGRAM
STRATEGIC APPROACH: STRENGTH-BASED (RESILIENCE) MODEL OF CARE
Building upon a solid base of programs and services, the strategic approach at YWS is to ensure that every youth has the support and encouragement to develop to their individual potential. All programs and operations are designed and conducted in a manner that is youth-centric, and we believe that our Strength-based (Resilience) Model of Care is the foundation for the best possible successful future for the young people in our care.
The Strength-based (Resilience) Model of Care focuses on young people’s strengths: building a safe community within our walls where talking, listening, and sharing are productive; and giving youth the opportunities to develop the integral skills and confidence to navigate the world and overcome their challenges.
TRAUMA INFORMED CARE
Youth Without Shelter provides trauma-informed care as a core principle of operations. For service providers to become effective with individuals in their care, there has to be ‘needs-based’ planning, not only at a client level but at a program and system level also. The majority of the youth YWS serves have had to deal with overwhelming personal experiences that may have changed their perception of life. Our goal is to have a support system that will empower young people to succeed and help them transition from a post-traumatic state to post-traumatic growth.
2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Our 2024-2025 Annual Report is now available!
If you have any questions, please contact communications@yws.on.ca
Please scroll through the report below, or click HERE to read online.
