Finding strength through mentorship
As a young person, *Gabe yearned to be understood, to find a place where he felt like he belonged. He left home as a teenager and couch-surfed, while navigating...
Youth Stories
-
-
How Covenant House is helping one youth pursue their dream of building a better world
Even when *Courtney was a child, he knew he was a leader. He remembers his peers in class looking to him for ideas and inspiration – his energy and...
-
The joy of giving back
When Keith arrived in Toronto in 2001, he was searching for safety, stability, and a fresh start. After days seeking shelter, he was referred to Covenant House, a place...
-
Experiencing homelessness and then hope to share with others
When Kaleab was experiencing homelessness, it was hard to find hope. For weeks, he was camped out in Wellesley subway station foraging for food and relying on the...
-
How Youth Reconnect helps youth struggling with mental health stay in school
By the end of the last school year, *Clara’s anxiety had gotten so bad that she couldn’t leave the house – not to go to school, not to go...
-
How our rooftop garden inspired a passion for urban farming
Branden remembers the awe he felt when he first set foot in the Covenant House rooftop garden as a participant in the Cooking for Life (CFL) job readiness program.
-
How the Cooking for Life program paved one youth’s pathway forward
*Christian’s passion for hospitality sparked when he was only 10 years old and woke up early on Mother’s Day to bake a tray of cookies for his foster mother.
-
Celebrating achievements big and small in our community
Von, 20, had big plans for his future that included pursuing a certification in construction so he could find work and build a career in the field.
-
How Covenant House Toronto’s Employment Centre is helping youth in a tough job market
Smith can’t remember how many resumes he’s sent out in recent months – it could be hundreds. Despite the challenges, he continues to focus on pursuing his dreams.