Youth Residential Homes

Our Two Residential Youth Homes

We offer each young resident a safe and comfortable place to work on his/her issues. We work with them to deal with these challenges. Ultimately, our objective is to help these young people achieve their goals and dreams.

We operate two, 24-hour staffed, co-ed homes in Markham for homeless York Region youth 16 to 19 years of age. Our service is unique in the Region, because the youth we serve are not required to stay in the program. It’s entirely voluntary.

Expectations

If you are a young person in need, or a parent seeking help for your teen, here’s what you can expect from Pathways:

• We give young people a place to start making choices that will improve their quality of life.
• Young people, who can no longer remain at home or have already left home, can remain in their community.
• Each youth receives individual focus, resulting in programs that are safe, healthy, respectful, supportive and effective.
• The environment is nurturing, where role models help youth develop new life skills and absorb community and social norms.
• Support is available for parents, whenever possible, including family counselling.

As a youth, this is what Pathways expects of you:

• You’re expected to be responsible for your behaviour and actions while residing at Pathways.
• You will contribute (if you are working) to the daily running of the household.
• You must participate in ongoing programs focusing on life skills and counselling to help you deal with the issues that play a role in your homelessness.
• You’re must be either in school full-time or working full-time.
• You’re expected to understand and respect the rules of the program.
• Participate in weekly house meetings.

Programming

Life Skills is an integral component of the long-term objectives of the program. Our goal is to help individuals move from homelessness to self-sufficiency; to improve the social, health and economic well being of youth. Life Skills are key to healthy and independent living, and we teach social competencies, planning and decision-making, constructive use of time and choosing positive values to guide their choices. These are the skills we all need to live day to day.

• One evening per week; attendance is mandatory.
• You learn the skills that lead to healthy and independent living.
• These are the skills we all need to live day to day (budgeting, money management, job search training, nutrition/food shopping, healthy sexuality).
• Personal Values/Development (values, ethics, self-esteem, good communication, problem-solving/conflict resolution, anger/stress management, coping and addiction).

Counselling Support Program

Formal counselling is a key facet of the housing program. This provides the youth with a safe setting, independent from other aspects of their life, for them to contemplate where they are emotionally, cognitively, where they want to go, and how to narrow that gap (both one-to-one and family counselling is provided).

Recreation

On most occasions, there are activities that will engage the resident in recreational activities such as street hockey, basketball pick up games, YMCA Gym memberships for physical fitness etc.

 

Residential Services Admission Criteria

There are several key elements that must be met in order for a youth to be accepted into our program. They are:

• Youth must want the services
• 16-19 years of age
• In need of housing
• Not physically violent or aggressive
• Able to live in a co-operative environment

The following information is required to facilitate referrals for residential services:

• Name of youth
• Age/Gender
• Address and area presently residing
• Level of parental involvement
• Overview of youth in school or work
• Difficulties/concerns
• Information regarding substance use/abuse; involvement with the justice system; and other services involved

Our agency serves clients who reside or have resided in York Region and Central East Region. Priority will be given to York Region residents and those identified as most in need.

For more information please contact:

Meaghan Bluer
647-205-3070

Home Base Youth Drop in Centre
Housing Worker
10944  Yonge St.
Richmond Hill, ON. L4C 3E4