Ben’s Kids – An Inspiring Gift Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn The onsite health centre at Covenant House is a critical resource for the youth we serve. Offering walk in healthcare and mental health services the compassionate healthcare team help youth learn more about their wellness needs. The centre proudly displays the name Ben’s Kids Health Centre. Named for a generous donor in honour of their beloved golden retriever Ben. Ben was known for his love of every kid he encountered. His owners believed that Ben would have been a s ..read more

A Call to Be Kind: How Easy Access to Mental Health Counselling Helps Youth Move Forward Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Once a week, Tatiana Portelli-Graham, Covenant House Toronto’s Solutions Focused Brief Therapist, runs a counselling group for youth. In a recent session, a youth confided that she was afraid to move out of our shelter and into a place of her own. This was difficult for her to talk about because being housed is the goal – a reason to celebrate. “There was this space for me to say that change is uncomfortable fo ..read more

Putting Care on the Menu Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Food is at the centre of everything we do at Covenant House. It is the first thing staff offer when youth come through our doors, and as they get settled in the House meals become opportunities to gather and connect. For youth who have experienced homelessness, being at Covenant House might be the first time in a long time that they’ve had consistent meals and access to enough food. We promise young people that we’ll help them meet their basic needs, and we build trust by r ..read more

Our Impact – A Journey Through Covenant House Toronto Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn When Robson first walked up the steps to Covenant House Toronto, he was new to the city and country, having come to Canada from Nigeria with no supports and structure in his life. His time at Covenant House, he said, “has really helped shape who I am at this point in my life,” equipping him with the skills and knowledge he needs to start life as an independent young adult. More than a shelter, Covenant House meets the immediate needs of young pe ..read more

Care & Compassion Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn The Newlands Family live by the philosophy ‘if you can – you should’. Their family foundation, aptly named ‘The Four Oaks Foundation’ has a focus on supporting youth in crisis or at risk, education, and food insecurity. Oak trees are symbolic of strength, longevity, honour and dignity, a beautiful reflection of how the family strives to give back to the community. The Newlands take a unique approach when supporting organizations like Covenant House. They take their time to lea ..read more

A Beacon of Hope Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn At a young age, life had already taught Rebecca a thing or two about resilience. When she arrived at Covenant House, she knew she had to be brave. “I chose to accept the help. To be open to whatever possibilities may come.” Rebecca’s openness allowed her to fully participate in the care she received at Covenant House. She stayed in our emergency shelter and is currently living in one of our specialized houses. Rebecca has benefitted from counselling, occupational therapy, health ..read more

Celebrating our volunteers: How Tyler shares his passion for painting with youth Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Volunteers give countless hours of their time, skills and talents to provide youth at Covenant House Toronto with meaningful opportunities to try new things, make new friends and help build confidence. Tyler Scott is one of the volunteers who leads the Thursday evening art program at Covenant House. We talked to Tyler - an actuarial consultant in the finance industry – about sharing his talent for painting with the you ..read more

Sleep Out: Champions Edition raises over $450,000 to support youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn The morning after Sleep Out: Champions Edition the air was filled with the energy of nearly 100 caring, action-oriented individuals from across the Greater Toronto Area who gave up their beds for a night and slept outside to help ensure young people experiencing homelessness and trafficking can get the care and support they need at Covenant House Toronto. Throughout the rainy night, particip ..read more

Celebrating our volunteers: Ken connects with youth over a game of chess Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Celebrating our volunteers: Ken connects with youth over a game of chess  Ken Stripelis has been showing up to volunteer at Covenant House for over thirty years, making him one of our longest serving supporters.   He spoke to us about how a game ofa chess builds connections and community for some of the young people at Covenant House Toronto.  Q: How did you get started volunteering at Covenant House?  ..read more

Sleeper Spotlight on long-time donor, first-time sleeper Hans Ohrstrom Back to News & Stories Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Hans Ohrstrom began donating to Covenant House Toronto when he was living in a basement apartment, facing his own challenges and was barely able to pay his rent. “I was eating 2 for 1 pizza for most of my meals – one for breakfast, one for lunch,” Hans said. “I grew up in that - that was normal.” He had just quit his job as a district manager of an apparel company and was trying to pursue his dream of moving into a career in rea ..read more