The rain held off on Thursday, April 18, 2019 as London’s Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) and supporters gathered on YOU’s new 1.1 acre property at 585 Clarke Road, site of the future Housing First Youth Shelter. Federal Parliamentary Secretary, Adam Vaugh shared the news of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) partnership with YOU and investment in the unique homeless youth housing project. He made a federal government financial commitment of over 2.96 million for the construction of the YOU Housing First Youth Shelter.
Details about plans for the new thirty bed youth shelter were shared with the assembled crowd by YOU’s tireless Steve Cordes, executive director for over thirty years. Steve explained that the planned shelter will be a safe, secure, inviting place where residents will have private rooms. They will be off the street in a comfortable environment where they can relax and settle into a routine. Then, the goal of the program will be for the youth to find affordable housing in time, enroll in school, if necessary, and finally attain employment.
Several speakers addressed the assembled group. Kortney, a former homeless woman, now 28 years old and employed in the finance field, spoke of her life experience and her success after becoming involved with YOU. She emphasized that youth cannot be successful unless they are away from street life and have a safe place to live. Using herself as an example, she emphasized that the next step must be schooling, finding employment and becoming secure young people helping to make their city and world a better place.
With Youth Opportunities Unlimited’s highly successful track record of over three decades, Londoners can rest assured that the YOU Housing First Youth Shelter will be a model of best practices and a vital component in solving youth homelessness.
Sister Jean Moylan csj