This is part of an ongoing series exploring how the grants made by the Foundation in its first 15 years have reverberated in the community we serve.

This is the story of Nate (not his real name). Born into a complicated family dynamic, Nate was raised alongside his half sisters by his stepmother after their father died. At the age of five, his life was uprooted when the family moved to Canada. Unable to care for him, his stepmother placed Nate into foster care. That was the beginning of a long and arduous path filled with systemic failures and personal struggle, that would eventually lead Nate to the YES Shelter for Youth and Families.

Diagnosed with a mental illness, Nate navigated his late teens largely unmedicated, bouncing between foster homes, living in survival mode. At the height of his illness, he found himself in active psychosis, homeless, and alone at the doors of the YES Shelter. His initial weeks at the shelter were fraught with conflict, including a fight that got him kicked out. Thanks to a dedicated outreach worker, Nate was finally connected to the right medication, and slowly, his world began to stabilize.

It wasn’t an easy road. Nate’s large stature and tough guy demeanour can make him an intimidating and misunderstood figure at times. Beneath the rough exterior though, was a young man yearning for consistency, compassion, and a sense of purpose. Nate found that when he moved into YES’ RISE Youth Housing program.

Once in the program, Nate’s transformation began in earnest. His mental health stabilized and he found comfort in having his own place, supported by staff who held him accountable for achieving his goals. As Nate found his footing, he became employable. He took odd jobs mostly in the hospitality sector.

In the early years of the pandemic, YES received a grant from the Community Foundation to create a youth mentorship program directed toward building maintenance. Two young residents were given the opportunity to learn from an experienced caretaker. Nate took on one of the roles. Starting small, he worked two or three days a week, helping with repairs around the shelter. From fixing drywall to plumbing, Nate proved to be an invaluable help, and his presence was a source of inspiration for other youth in the shelter.

The role wasn’t just about the work. It was about Nate’s integration into the community, building relationships with staff and becoming a figure that others looked up to. His transformation from a young man in crisis to a staff member at the very shelter that had saved him became a powerful symbol of what’s possible with the right support.

Today, Nate lives independently and has secure employment. Mentorship, both formal and informal, has played a crucial role in Nate’s journey. His experience is a testament to the importance of programs that extend beyond immediate crisis intervention. The RISE Youth Housing program, like many initiatives at YES Shelter, provides ongoing support, not just a quick fix. It allows young people to envision a future, dream again, and, most importantly, build the skills and confidence they need to sustain themselves.

For Nate, this support meant not only receiving help but eventually giving it. He now participates in peer sessions, where he shares his story with youth in the shelter. These sessions are intimate, raw, and deeply moving, as Nate recounts his journey from mental illness and homelessness to stability and independence. His presence, once intimidating, is now a source of comfort and hope to those who find themselves in similar situations.

If you would like to help the Foundation continue to fund programs at YES and other deserving organizations working to tackle homelessness, click here to give now.