News for May, 2009

Feature: YMCA England Uses Innovation to Help Homeless Youth

An innovative new campaign in the U.K. is making homeless youth disappear off the streets—right into YMCA shelters.

This latest YMCA England campaign uses life-size silhouette cut-out boards representing homeless young people which have been put on display around London. YMCA shops are also displaying the cut-outs to raise awareness of the YMCA’s work and encourage people to make a donation through its website.

“Right now thousands of homeless young people are frantically searching for somewhere safe to sleep tonight,” said Kirsty Lincoln, Senior Direct Marketing Officer at YMCA England. “A donation of £15 to the YMCA today can pay for a hot meal and a warm bed at a YMCA hostel.”

“You can provide them with a safe, clean alternative to the stinking doorway, underpass or alley where they'll otherwise be forced to sleep,” she said.

Organizations are hopeful that the campaign will raise awareness of the needs of homeless youth and increase much needed funding. Incorporating the cut-outs, along with direct mail and email marketing, the integrated campaign targets both existing and potential supporters to highlight the difference the YMCA is making to young people’s lives with its innovative programs—like its advocacy training program.

As part of YMCA England's Youth Justice in Action Campaign, Daniella Abbate, a resident of Kingston & Wimbledon YMCA recently returned from a trip to the United Nations in Geneva. In preparing for her three week visit, Daniella received training in lobby techniques and advocacy work from YMCA England — “a life changing experience” she said. The unique training has helped build her confidence and given her specialized skills. Through a partnership with Y Care International, Daniella teamed up with young people from around the world, and together they were able to successfully change a UN resolution. The resolution was on juvenile justice, and included language on the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration for former child offenders.

Community Spotlight: Groupe communautaire L’Itinéraire Helps Youth Find Place in Society

Three winners were announced last month for Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation for their outstanding work with homeless youth. In its fourth year, the Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation is generously sponsored by CIBC. Each winning organization received a prize of $5,000.

One of this year’s winners was Groupe communautaire l’itinéraire for the initiative Le magDVD le 3e Œil (Montréal, QC). Le Groupe communautaire ’Itinéraire is a non-profit organization that develops social enterprise projects with the goal of improving the standard of living of Montréal’s street youth and those with alcohol and drug addictions. The mission of the organization is to develop autonomy, knowledge and creativity among individuals aged 18 to 30 years who have struggled due to homelessness and marginalization.
Launched in 2005, L’Itinéraire helps young people “reclaim their place in society and develop self esteem by participating in tangible projects,” wrote Serge Lareault, Directeur général et éditeur. Its goal is social reintegration of street youth or those who are at risk of becoming street involved through training in video production and journalism. The production and sale of a magazine in DVD format is a way to reconnect with a vulnerable population that is very interested in multimedia. It is also a means to feel valued, obtain communications experience and employment.

Today’s youth often do not buy into the concept of the street newspaper L’Itineraire, said Lareault. “Our approach allows us to work with youth around strategies to prevent addictions, develop healthy life habits, improve essential skills, acquire professional skills, and prevent the negative effects of street life.”

The initiative is innovative because it merges favourite multimedia past-times and cultural issues, and prevention-oriented messages related to addictions and heath. The structure of the initiative allows for the participants to be included in all of the processes that lead to the final product. As a result, participants have a sense of belonging to the project as a whole.
To date the project has resulted in 5 editions of the DVD magazine. In all, 120 youth have directly participated. Over 4,000 print copies of each edition were distributed in addition to distribution through its website. Since their involvement with the project, 95 per cent of participants improved their living conditions; 50 per cent returned to the work force; 25 per cent were referred to other specialized organizations; and 25 per cent returned to their studies.

News Briefs: New on Raising the Roof’s Shared Learnings on Homelessness Website

Pre-Trial Services Program, in St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador, provides community supervision and guidance for youth that have been released on bail.

Harvest House Food Bank, in Chemainuf, British Columbia, their mission is to feed the less fortunate in their community.

Youth Get New Facilities in PEI and Alberta

Homeless youth and young people who are at risk of homelessness in Charlottetown, PEI will be able to access services to help keep them housed at The Survival Centre. Renovations were completed with funding from the federal and provincial governments, as well as the Rotary Club, which will allow the accessible centre to offer more services, including meals, a gym, broader life-skills training, increased restroom and shower facilities, and improved access to recreation and a media room. Thanks to $1.4 million from the Alberta government, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary will be able to provide youth greater access to housing. The funding will be used to buy and renovate a new development called Homes for Youth which will feature 12 units, with a combination of one-and two-bedroom suites for youths aged 16 to 24.

CHRA Congress Hears New Ideas

Over 500 participants attended the 41st Annual Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) Congress, Renewing our Communities, in Toronto last month in Toronto. The conference opened with best-selling author Richard Florida. “The CHRA Congress is an opportunity for housing advocates from across the country to convene to share ideas and success stories on the creation and renewal of affordable housing, the elimination of homelessness, energy efficiency, and support for marginalized groups,” said CHRA President Dave Eddy. Toronto Mayor David Miller also spoke about a range of Toronto initiatives to end homelessness and renew communities, including innovative work with young people in at-risk communities.

Ballantyne to Leave TCHC

Derek Ballantyne, CEO of Toronto Community Housing Corporation, has been appointed Build Toronto’s first Chief Operating Officer. Build Toronto will engage private and public sector partners in the development of City real estate to unlock the value of the properties, stimulate the creation of desirable jobs, and regenerate neighbourhoods.