A shelter that does more than just house the homeless

Exploring the role of Covenant House Toronto

Toronto, the most populous and urbanized metropolitan city in Canada, is “home” to upwards of 2000 homeless youth aged 16-24 every night. Comprising 20% of Canada’s homeless population, such individuals are prone to a mortality rate that is 40 times the rates of housed youth. Beyond a lack of basic necessities and security, 35% of homeless youth suffer from a mental illness, 20% identify as LGBTQ, and 70% have witnessed physical, sexual or emotional abuse, all of which are significant determinants of health. The obvious solution would be to rehouse these young people, yet it is also of great importance to address the root of the problem: the socioeconomic disadvantages they face.

Covenant House Toronto is a 24/7 homeless youth shelter that addresses such underlying concerns. Specifically, CHT’s programs are designed to aid individuals suffering from the major factors influencing homelessness, including youth who have left the child welfare system, been abandoned or orphaned by their families, suffered with poor mental health, afflicted with low socioeconomic status, and endured various forms of abuse. This is contrary to the misleading mainstream belief that homelessness is a choice, driven by the urge to flee home and attain freedom from rules. Most importantly, CHT recognizes that the greatest challenge homeless youth face is the lack of self-esteem and mental wellness, rather than intellect and the inability to maintain self sufficiency. This is mirrored in their efforts to cultivate a welcoming, supportive, and opportunity-ridden atmosphere.

Established in 1982, the centre has supported more than 90, 000 homeless youth and continues to serve about 250 youth every day by offering housing, counselling services, employment assistance, education, and health care all under one roof and free of cost. Operating five days a week and accessible with or without an appointment or health ID, the onsite health care clinic is equipped with five nurses, three primary care physicians, two psychiatrists and one adolescent medicine specialist, in addition to a volunteer chiropractor and massage therapists. The clinic also facilitates rapid HIV testing and stocks over-the-counter medication, as well as first aid supplies to provide immediate alleviation of physical health concerns. Additionally, the clinic is well connected with other agencies providing speciality health care services; thus, incoming youth may be referred for free dental care, eyeglasses, pregnancy support services, and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, nurses work with all incoming youth to construct an individualized plan based on their initial health assessment upon entering the shelter and previous medical records.

The centre has supported more than 90, 000 homeless youth and continues to serve about 250 youth every day.

Moreover, youth afflicted with mental concerns attend regular appointments with the on -site psychiatrists, receive counselling, and are involved in their personalized care plan. “Youthdale,” a children’s mental health service, is also available to incoming youth and provides a plethora of treatment options and activities to youth suffering from mental health concerns. In fact, the provision of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) to facilitate effective coping strategies is one of the most highly regarded techniques run at Covenant House Toronto.

Since its inception, CHT has been constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the vulnerable population it serves. Beyond infrastructure and capacity expansions, one of its notable milestones includes the development of the “Arts and Mind Program,” a day program to further address youth mental health concerns. Research indicates that individuals suffering from poor mental health are at greater risk of poverty, disaffiliation with one’s surroundings, and personal vulnerability, the three main factors leading to homelessness. Taken together, a lack of the ability to maintain long term employment, withdrawal from support systems as a result of delusional thinking, and impairment of one’s resilience, judgement, and thinking predisposes youth to homelessness. Coupled with a lack of basic necessities, the stressors associated with experiencing homelessness exacerbate conditions such as anxiety and depression, leading to an accumulation of unmet health needs. Through the use of art therapy, group therapy sessions, and the cultivation of a non-threatening and supportive space, the “Arts and Mind Program” plays an important role in setting these youth on an effective path for recovery.

Infographic of Covenant House Toronto’s Activities (2015 Annual Report)

Another one of CHT’s widely appraised initiatives is its youth culinary arts school featuring 12-week  “Cooking for Life” programs. The programs combat youth unemployment by equipping youth with the skills needed for an entry-level job in the hospitality industry. Following hands-on instruction in the on-site professional kitchen, graduates receive a Food Handler’s Certificate and are guaranteed a job placement. Given the decreasing youth job opportunities in today’s economy, “Cooking for Life” is a beacon of hope for the 62% of homeless youth living with a low socioeconomic status.   Sources indicate that Canada’s youth unemployment rate of 14.7 % is twice the unemployment rate of the entire population. Such statistics are a direct result of the increasing amount of lower-paid temporary jobs lacking benefits, decreasing job opportunities in the manufacturing and public sectors, widespread automation of services, and the outsourcing of low skill level jobs to third world countries. Moreover, by offering the opportunity to improve and refine their techniques, this program instills a sense of capability and self-sufficiency, and empowers youth to engage in personal goal-setting, in addition to alleviating the immediate concern of homelessness.

By offering the opportunity to improve and refine their techniques, this program instills a sense of capability and self-sufficiency, and empowers youth.

Recently, Covenant House Toronto revealed its detailed “Five Year Strategic Plan,” which aims to further alleviate youth homelessness through specific goals tailored to the current and emerging needs of this population. Some of its key priorities include expanding housing and aftercare, employment opportunities, as well as partnerships with community support networks to better assist victims of sexual abuse and addictions. Due to their shattered support systems, many youth on the street do not receive care and affection, and consequently lack self-esteem and confidence. As a result, drug abuse and sexual trafficking eventually become habits and key components of their lifestyle. For many of these youth, drug addictions represent coping strategies to deal with the fact that they are “unwanted” by their families due to their sexual orientation. This build up of unmet social acceptance and emotional needs may cause youth to spiral downwards towards a lack of baseline health conditions and eventually, homelessness.

Executive director Bruce Rivers states, “What drives Covenant House is a culture of inclusion and equal inherent value.” True to his word, the organization aims to foster an atmosphere where youth of all ethnicities, sexualities, and genders are viewed beyond the societal label of “homeless“.

Currently, Covenant House is financially driven by a $24.4-million annual  budget that is comprised of 80% community and individual donations. In addition, it offers many volunteering and mentorship opportunities to individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds. Those interested in a larger leadership role may also run their own fundraising event to collect funds for CHT’s operations  and engage in advocacy regarding youth homelessness.

Covenant House Toronto is also heavily engaged in several advocacy platforms and awareness campaigns in order to educate community members on the real struggles faced by homeless youth. “The Sleep Out” event is one such form of advocacy, in which Covenant House staff and community members sleep outside for a night to raise funds for the centre. As Rivers describes the event, “It is a window into what brings youth to our doors, what it means to be here, and how they’ve changed their lives because of that.” Consistent with their commitment to advocacy, CHT also runs several in-school presentations. Since its inception, such school outreach has reached about 500, 000 students. Accolades indicate that such school outreach has prompted students to seek support from appropriate community resources, significantly destigmatized homeless individuals, and prevented individuals from running away from home.

Covenant House Toronto’s holistic approach towards combating youth homelessness is a crucial step towards the development of an effective nation-wide strategy. By continuing to target the social determinants of health and advocating for systems-level changes, we, as a society, may become one step closer to eliminating homelessness altogether.

Information regarding how to get involved with Covenant House Toronto can be accessed via the organization’s website:  http://www.covenanthousetoronto.ca/homeless-youth/Get-Involved

 By Ritika Arora

Ritika is a first year student in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster University. She views writing as a medium of advocacy for society’s most pressing concerns, as well as a mode of self-expression.

This article is an “Equity in the City” feature, a Health & Science event that sheds light on health centres that cater to marginalized populations in the City of Toronto, Canada.

Please note that opinions expressed are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.