About YSB

Professionals Delivering Programs for Youth

Founded in 1960, the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) is one of the largest and most comprehensive non‑profit agencies serving youth in this community. More than 350 caring professionals work from 20 locations across the city to deliver a vast range of programs and services that support at‑risk youth and their families.

YSB is a registered charity (#10822 8545 RR0001). We receive funding from the Province of Ontario, the City of Ottawa, the United Way, and generous private donors. In 2010, our annual operating budget was over $24 million. Extremely efficient, we spend just 9.5% of our budget on administration, leaving the remaining 90.5% for program delivery.

Our Strategic Priorities

Strategic PlanThe purpose of the YSB Strategic Plan is to provide a 3-year roadmap to strengthen our capacity as an exceptional leader and partner in responding to the needs of youth and families in our community. Click here to read the full document.

RESOURCES AND CAREERS

media-kit

With more than 60 years of supporting youth in the Ottawa area, YSB is valued for its expertise in the areas of homelessness, housing, mental health, youth justice, employment, health, diversity, and youth engagement.

Youth Services Jeunesse Library

Get access to resources developed specifically for the YSB community.

Youth Services Jeunesse Careers

At YSB we offer you the opportunity to play a meaningful role in creating lasting, positive change in young people’s lives, as well in the lives of their families and communities.

Youth Services Jeunesse Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions by our community.

Our Vision: IMPACT TOMORROW TODAY

Our mission

We are committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental and accessible environment where individuals 12 years and older can pursue their life goals and be encouraged in making informed decisions.

Our mandate

YSB is a multi-service agency that provides services in French and English in employment, health and housing, mental health, youth engagement and youth justice. We work in partnership to develop, deliver and advocate for better conditions, services and opportunities for youth and families.

Through our services we:

  • Value our clients’ strengths
  • Believe in empowering youth and families
  • Value diversity
  • Value accountability for our clients & ourselves
  • Believe in meaningful youth engagement as core to our practice
  • Value the continuous review of the quality of our work
  • Believe in collaboration

Our Blog

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YSB announces new CEO

The Board of Directors of the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Larissa Silver as CEO. Effective Thursday, June 1, 2023, Ms. Silver will take over from YSB’s retiring Executive Director, Joanne Lowe. Ms. Silver has been Associate Executive Director of YSB since January of 2020, and before […]

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Chalk It Up for Youth Mental Health

Join the Youth Services Bureau (YSB) to fundraise and decorate pavement, sidewalks, and driveways to help provide 200+ youth in our community with an hour of mental health counselling. You may join one of several in several of Ottawa’s Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) or select your own location. Chalk It Up for Youth Mental Health […]

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Join us for Coldest Night of the Year 2023!

The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. Join us on February 25, 2023 – team up, fundraise, walk, and gather for good… because it’s cold out there. You can choose to walk 2 km or 5 km along our dedicated Ottawa Centretown route. Bundle […]

Board of Directors

YSB’s Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization. Its role is to articulate our mission, set our strategic direction, define our goals, and measure and report on our performance.

YSB Senior Management

  • Joanne Lowe
    Joanne Lowe Executive Director

    (She/Her)

  • Larissa Silver
    Larissa Silver Associate Executive Director

    (She/Her)

  • Mike Wade Assistant Director, Community Services

    (He/Him)

  • Darren Graham Director of Community Services

    (He/Him)

  • Josh Torres
    Josh Torres Assistant Director of Programs and Services, Youth Justice

    (He/Him)

  • Ryan McKay DIRECTOR, YOUTH JUSTICE

    (He/Him)

  • Kathryn Owens Clinical Director

    (She/Her)

  • Monica Armstrong Director of Mental Health Services

    (She/Her)

  • Amber Costello
    Amber Costello Director of Employment Services

    (She/Her)

  • Bill Fenn
    Bill Fenn Assistant director, Youth Justice

    (He/Him)

  • Bonnie Graham Assistant Director, Mental Health Services

    (She/Her)

  • Patti Murphy
    Patti Murphy Executive Director, YSB Charitable Foundation

    (She/Her)

  • Stacey Lauridsen
    Stacey Lauridsen Assistant Director of Community Services

    (He/Him)

  • Kim Fenn
    Kim Fenn Director of Quality Assurance

    (She/Her)

  • Heidi Nichilo
    Heidi Nichilo Clinical Assistant Director, Mental Health Services

    (She/Her)

  • Rui Medeiros
    Rui Medeiros Assistant Director, Employment Services

    (He/Him)

  • Joëlle Cupidon
    Joëlle Cupidon Director of Human Resources

    (She/Her)

  • Bob White
    Bob White Director of IT

    (He/Him)

  • Wes Richardson
    Wes Richardson Director of Finance

    (He/Him)

  • Suzanne Fraser
    Suzanne Fraser Director of Communications

    (She/Her)

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