Awareness, Prevention, and Early Intervention

As many as 40,000¹ young people experience homelessness in Canada every year, and hundreds of youth are being trafficked^2. These issues deeply affect and shape young lives, and often transcend background, income or gender.

We strive to prevent homelessness and sex trafficking by sharing knowledge, raising awareness and reconnecting youth with their families and social networks.

By combining 40 years of front line experience with current research, we provide our community with tools to support those in need, intervene and stop homelessness and trafficking before it even begins.

We work together to ensure every young person has the potential for a bright future.

Prevention in action

24,945 students educated in 2023-2024 on the risks and realities of homelessness and sex trafficking.

17,110 industry staff, frontline workers, and community members trained on sex trafficking prevention and intervention since 2015.

247 young people reconnected with their families or personal support networks.

^{All numbers above based on Covenant House Toronto administrative data (2024).}

Awareness and prevention presentations

Covenant House school presentations teach the next generation about homelessness and sex trafficking. Our facilitators can help teachers and students recognize and understand the issues.

School presentations

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All three presentations support the Ministry of Education’s strategies for Student Success, Safe Schools and Equity and Inclusive Education. Curriculum connections also include Citizenship Education, Healthy Relationships, Well-being, and Character Education.

"I’ve seen a lot of presentations throughout high school; this one was by far the best. Powerful, enlightening and effective. Our facilitator talked to us, rather than at us. I was engaged on intellectual and emotional levels. I won’t forget the facts, faces and stories that were shared."
- Student, Ajax HS

"This presentation brought forward concerns for a fellow student that are now being addressed. They may have remained quiet without the information from Covenant House. Thank you for bringing these important issues to light."
- Teacher, St. John CES

"Fabulous presentation, informative and positively life-changing for students."
- Guidance Counsellor, Dr. Marion Hilliard SPS

Book now

For more information contact:
Awareness and Prevention Program
presentations@covenanthouse.ca

Please note: Our program has two facilitators to cover all Toronto and GTA schools. To support more schools and continue to offer this service free of charge, we are offering in-person presentations to audiences of 50+ students (Section 23 Alternative sites exempt).

Before You Run

Grades 6 to 12

Students ask us how and why young people become homeless. Through our youth stories, students learn about the complex issues, conflicts, and challenges that led them to homelessness. We discuss positive and healthy coping strategies, encourage compassion for self and others, and encourage students to pursue a life of wellness and success. We also advise them of barrier-free resources and supports in their communities.

Reality Check

Grades 6 to 12

Students ask us what life on the street is like for youth experiencing homelessness. We describe their constant struggle and deglamourize street life. We facilitate a group activity that builds empathy by demonstrating the hardship they face when living independently, without family support, education, or career. We encourage both self and community development, discuss community resources, and inspire students to be part of the solution.

Trafficked

Grades 7 to 12

Sex trafficking often happens right in front of us. Survivors tell us that they didn’t understand what was happening to them or know where to turn for help. Through our survivor stories, students learn about luring and grooming tactics. We also facilitate an activity to familiarize students with warning signs and safety tips to help them protect themselves and each other. We encourage students to trust their guts and advise them where to access help in their communities.

Early intervention training

Sex trafficking is a local issue and a hidden crime. We teach industry and community agencies to spot and intervene in sex trafficking. The training we provide expands the network of support and early intervention.

Community agency training

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Our human trafficking advocates provide customized presentations on sex trafficking and survivor support to other frontline agencies. Whether you work in shelters, child welfare or act as youth justice workers, our training can help you:

Identify warning signs
Act from a trauma-informed lens
Know what resources are out there
Provide essential support

To book, email us at inquiries@covenanthouse.ca

Industry prevention training

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Trafficking victims show signs of exploitation that are easily dismissed when staff do not know what to look for.

Our industry training for hotel, tourism, and transportation will help you protect youth (and your business) by:

Teaching employees to recognize the warning signs of trafficking
Equipping staff with the resources and knowledge to respond accordingly
Complementing any existing training at your organization
Bringing in a local perspective and tailored examples

To request training for your hotel, please email us at training@covenanthouse.ca

For more information about sex trafficking, visit Traffick Stop, our anti-trafficking online resource hub.

“The training delivered by Covenant House was hugely impactful for our associates. With facts and data collected in Toronto, the GTA and Canada, the training resonated much more deeply. I highly recommend this training . . . the information, although disturbing, is delivered in a sensitive and engaging manner."
- Andrea, Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville

Family and natural supports

The Family and Natural Supports program aims to intervene early to prevent homelessness.

We provide a range of supports to youth, aged 16 to 29, who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness, and who want to find and strengthen their network of supportive people.

How this program helps youth

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The Family and Natural Supports (FNS) program, in partnership with shelters and service providers across Toronto, helps youth at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness, to strengthen their connections with family and/or their extended networks of support.

The goal is for all youth to have long-term relationships that provide both emotional and practical support, in addition to an ongoing sense of belonging and connection. The FNS Program provides support to both youth and their family members to mediate conflicts, reconcile or strengthen relationships, and help youth and families access resources they might need.

FNS workers have flexible schedules and can meet with youth and their family members and natural supports at locations convenient to them. FNS workers can continue to support youth even if they move to a different shelter or into housing.

What does family and natural supports mean?

People may have different ideas about what "family" means, so "family and natural supports" is used to describe any group of people who care about each other.

The Family and Natural Supports Program respects each person’s beliefs, culture and life experiences and will follow the youth's lead in who they say is their family.

Contact us
Justin Sage-Passant, Registered Psychotherapist
Manager, Prevention Initiatives
Phone: 416-598-4898 x 5824
Email: jsagepassant@covenanthouse.ca