While this past year has been like no other, we know our community is here and cares deeply for young people and their well-being.

This Holiday Season, your gift to YSB will support vulnerable young people right here in your community. During the cold, dark winter months, donors like you offer light to homeless and vulnerable youth. Now more than ever our world and our community need and appreciate beacons of light like you.

Consider purchasing a gift in honour of a family member, friend, colleague or in lieu of company gifts, and you’ll give a young person the gift of safety, shelter, belonging and new opportunity.

$30.00 –   Provide a set of towels and twin sheets for a young person living in our studio units
$50.00 –   Provide a complete holiday meal for a young parent and their child
$100.00 – Provide one youth with their own housing start-up kit
$250.00 – Provide a youth in our housing program with both a mental health and employment support session with caring counsellors

You can help a young person access stability, safety and a sense of belonging this holiday season. It starts with a gift to YSB.

  • Please note for donations of $20.00 or more, a tax receipt will automatically be issued and emailed to you.  YSB Foundation Charitable number # 84053 4853 RR0001.

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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