This is the fifth in a series of columns written by staff from The Lighthouse to help the community better understand people experiencing homelessness and those who support them. This column will appear every other Monday. (Click here to read the first column. Click here to read the second column. Click here to read the third column. Click here to read the fourth column.
A 19-year old youth struggling with addictions experienced a family relationship breakdown. With nowhere to go, Jordan (not the participant's real name) came to stay in the Youth Wing at The Lighthouse, the only youth shelter in Orillia.
While staying at The Lighthouse, Jordan was provided with access to youth-specific counselling and had 24-hour support to help manage their addictions. Participation in programming such as gardening, cooking and cleaning brought this individual a change in lifestyle and with youth worker support, they were able to reconnect with their family. Through this beautiful success story, Jordan has moved on from The Lighthouse to permanent housing.
This story isn’t unique.
Youth experience homelessness more often than you might realize. In homelessness services, youth are considered to be between the ages of 16 and 24. Family shelters and Family Connexions provide support for individuals under 16.
When youth find themselves experiencing homelessness due to issues such as family breakdown, unsafe living conditions, or gender identity discrimination, they may end up couch surfing or staying with friends. Unfortunately, those situations don’t always work, or they become unsafe.
When youth fall through all the cracks in services and have nowhere else to turn, The Lighthouse’s Emergency Shelter Youth Wing is ready to offer support.
There have been conversations surrounding youth homelessness in Orillia for many years. The safety and wellness of youth in our community is key to a successful future.
Some youth fall through every gap in our community, and with no other options in Orillia for shelter, The Lighthouse saw an immediate need. We look forward to future partnerships for youth transitional/supportive housing, which is the next step to supporting youth to stay housed.
The 2022 enumeration completed by the County of Simcoe showed that seven per cent of people experiencing homelessness in Orillia are youth aged 16-24. Understanding youth homelessness, we know that many youth are “hidden” through couch surfing, etc. and they may not have been included in the enumeration.
Youth homelessness is distinct from adult homelessness, both in terms of its causes and consequences, but also in how we must consider and apply interventions.
Youth experiencing homelessness, unlike adults experiencing homelessness, leave homes defined by relationships (both social and economic) in which they are typically dependent upon adult caregivers, whether parents or relatives. Source: Homeless Hub
In March 2023, we officially opened the Youth Wing. Although The Lighthouse has always served youth in the emergency shelter, we knew that youth require support that is specific to their unique needs.
Like the emergency shelter program for adults, the youth shelter operates as a separate wing out of the Community Services building and is focused on creating a thriving community where everyone has hope, home and a future. Everyone — including youth.
So how is it different from the adult emergency shelter program? And what does an emergency shelter for youth look like?
The Youth Wing is a separate, secure environment where youth can find support and care. Although it operates out of the same building, the Youth Wing is its own hall that is specifically and only available to youth. The Youth Wing includes eight beds, a common room, and an office.
The rooms have bunk beds, so youth share accommodation with one other person and have lockers that can be used to safely store their belongings. The common room provides a space for youth to spend time connecting with staff, relaxing, or working on their goals.
There is a games area, a desk for homework if needed and a small kitchen. If a private conversation is needed, participants can connect with their worker in the office.
Youth also have access to three nutritious meals and two snacks each day served by The Lighthouse's food service team. Youth participants also have a plot at one of the Community Gardens in Orillia, growing a mix of vegetables to use in cooking programs.
Our youth workers are qualified, experienced and trained in youth addictions and support. Youth can expect support working toward securing housing, developing essential skills, and referrals to relevant community resources.
Depending on each youth’s individual needs, we work with them to support their educational or work-related goals, promote physical and mental health, and encourage reconciliation with family members where appropriate. Each youth’s story is unique, and the supports provided to each youth are therefore personalized to their situation.
In order to ensure holistic care, The Lighthouse partners with many organizations. Partnerships and collaboration is key to providing long-term and varied care. Youth can receive support through a variety of these partnerships such as, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Agilec Employment Services and the on-site Lighthouse Medical Clinic.
We also partner with youth-specific agencies, including Youth Haven, Gilbert Centre, Family Connexions, Catholic Family Youth Services, and New Path.
To support youth in precarious situations, youth may stay in shelter a little longer in order to find appropriate, safe housing. In just over the three months that the Youth Wing has been operating, we have sheltered 18 unique individuals and three have secured permanent housing.
Linda Goodall is the executive director at The Lighthouse and can be reached, via email, at [email protected]
