If you’re caring for a young person and are feeling stuck, lost or helpless when it comes to understanding and supporting them, you don’t want to miss YSB’s upcoming Mind Matters event:

Teens and Technology

The Internet and smartphones continue to alter the way teens socialize with friends, handle dating, do their schoolwork and communicate with family members. Join us to hear from others on how we – as parents, partners and caregivers- can support our young people to use their devices in ways that are creative and productive, but also safe and responsible.

Leading us in conversation will be:

  • John McKnight, YSB Mental Health Counselor
  • A parent who has helped their teen reach out and benefit from YSB supports
  • Constable Cory McAree, Ottawa Police Services, Youth Division

                                              Date: Thursday February 13, 2020
  7:30 to 9:00am
                                                               Location: L-Spark (340 Legget Dr. Kanata)
                                                                                       Tickets: $25.00 (Includes coffee and a light breakfast)

Proudly Sponsored By:                   

This is an excellent opportunity to better understand the young person in your life. Come out and learn ways to best support your young person.

Bring your spouse, partner, a friend or colleague and leave with a better understanding of your teen and how to best support them.

teen-cellphone-addiction

The Mind Matters event series provides practical youth mental health information and guidance to parents, family members, educators and the community. The goal of the series is to share experiences and learnings, and to understand strategies to foster healthy resilient young people. Mind Matters highlights and supports youth mental health services offered by YSB.

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Milo's Story

Every year when I was little, I’d think “this will be the year that everything will be okay”. And every year, I’d be crushed. By the time I was 18 I couldn’t take my dad’s drinking or my mom’s crying anymore, so I packed a knapsack with the warmest clothes I had and I left. It was freezing cold, and I was alone…but I was free.

The next few months were rough and at times very scary. I spent nights in parks, doorways and even under bridges all with just an old sleeping bag a friend had given me. One night it was so cold that I walked until the sun came up, afraid that I would freeze to death if I slept.

It took me awhile to get over the embarrassment to start asking people for money. But, it was swallow my pride or stay cold and hungry. After two weeks of doing this I learned about YSB. I didn’t know it then but, in that moment, my life changed for the better. I got connected to YSB’s Young Men’s Emergency Shelter and my first night in the shelter I slept 11 hours. I felt so safe and secure. I remember that moment clearly and I felt so hopeful I now have my own apartment in one of YSB’s long-term housing buildings, am attending college to become a graphic designer, and am working part-time to support myself.

“For the first time I can remember, I’m really excited about my future. Growing up I just thought about getting by one day at a time.” I hope my story conveys just how life changing it was for me to be able to access YSB’s shelter during a really difficult time in my life. The team at YSB supported me every step of the way, and I’m grateful they were by my side. I hope you’ll consider taking the opportunity to transform the life of another young person like me today.

Milo*

*While Milo’s story is real his name has been changed to protect his privacy