YOUTH OUTREACH
EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION IS CRITICAL.
our Youth Outreach Program is an Individualized approach to Youth Homelessness. The program began in 2020, expanding our resources for homeless youth beyond The Barbara Weider House. The program assists youth wherever they are living, and is aimed at providing meals, hygiene products, tents, blankets, clothing, help to access community resources, mental health support and much more to homeless youth in our communities.
COMMUNITIES, YOUTH, AND PARENTS STRUGGLE TO FIND SUPPORT DUE TO LIMITED RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY IN SMALL COMMUNITIES.
The program targets both the visibly homeless (e.g. those living in shelters and on the streets) but also those who are couch-surfing, sleeping rough or living in unsafe situations with their families. The youth will participate in the program and learn coping skills and strategies, the families will better be able to deal with issues that have estranged their teenaged children building together for a stronger community. We will work with youth facing complex and challenging barriers including poverty, mental health and addictions, sex trafficking, racism, homophobia, trauma and conflictual home lives.
RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THERE IS A CLEAR LINK BETWEEN YOUTH ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES AND POSITIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES.
The services of Home Horizon target youth, either homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Georgian Bay area where before COVID-19 there was a 21% youth unemployment rate which has only worsened. Many youth in our area rely on jobs in the hospitality sector which have been suspended during COVID-19 with no indication if the employers will survive the lengthy shutdown. Without adequate revenue and with possible soaring unemployment, more vulnerable youth will require support that is primarily provided by Home Horizon in the Collingwood area.