Eva’s Initiatives creates opportunities for homeless youth

WATCH ABOVE: Eva’s Initiatives works with homeless and at-risk youth in Toronto by providing transitional housing while developing the skills needed to find and maintain employment. Susan Hay has more.

TORONTO – Eva’s Initiatives is an award-winning organization that works to prevent and reduce homelessness.

On any given night in Toronto, there are more than two thousand homeless youth living on the street. Yet, for some of them, Eva’s Phoenix is a place they can call home.

“Eva’s Phoenix is different than other traditional emergency shelters. It’s a transitional housing and employment facility,” said Maria Crawford, the executive director of Eva’s Initiatives. “Youth learn the skills that they need to find and maintain housing, and to find and maintain employment. So, at the end of their stay here, they will be equipped with the two pieces that they need to actually live independently in the community.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Eva's Phoenix is different than other traditional emergency shelters. It's a transitional housing and employment facility," said Maria Crawford, the executive director of <a href="http://www.evasinitiatives.com/" target="_blank">Eva's Initiatives</a>. "Youth learn the skills that they need to find and maintain housing, and to find and maintain employment. So, at the end of their stay here, they will be equipped with the two pieces that they need to actually live independently in the community."

Jessica-Anne Grey has been living at Eva’s Phoenix for almost a year now. After graduating from the Phoenix Print Shop Training Program, she now has a job, and her future is looking bright.

“I love it. I work at Print 3 on King and University. They’re amazing people,” said Grey. “And because of the fact that I took this program, I have those skills to work there now.”

The Phoenix Print Shop prepares youth for entry-level employment in the print and graphics industry through hands-on training.

“It’s a twelve-week program where we teach the fundamentals of the printing industry,” said Derry Bunting, manager of social enterprise. “We spend as much time as it takes to get them paid jobs in the industry, with the idea of them being able to transition to independent living and safe housing.”

“Being here has helped me to understand myself a little bit better and deal with my issues and start to build those things that I need for my life,” said Grey.

Crawford believes that there are many misconceptions when it comes to homeless youth.

“Youth don’t leave home because they don’t want to follow the rules, or because they think it’s fun to live on the streets. Living on the streets is a very difficult, challenging, and dangerous reality for many of the youth that we serve.”