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Funds to shelter youth – Metro US

Funds to shelter youth

The Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa has received two grants totalling $28,800 from the Community Foundation of Ottawa to help young men and women find shelter in the short term, and stability in the long term.

The Evelyn Horne Young Women’s Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing program has received $20,000, while the Young Men’s Emergency Shelter received $8,800.

According to the Community Foundation’s annual Ottawa’s Vital Signs report, the length of the shelter stay of youth almost doubled from 27 days in 2007 to 46 days in 2008.

As youth stay longer in shelters, beds become available less frequently and other youth who need services are unable to access the supports they need.

“These emergency shelter programs are essential to improving the living situations of vulnerable youth in Ottawa,” said Barbara McInnes, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa.

The Youth Services Bureau offers 60 emergency and transitional beds as part of a larger continuum of housing services.

“We are thrilled that the Community Foundation has come through at a crucial time for the young people who use the emergency shelters,” said YSB executive director Alex Munter.