Residential Youth Homes
Our youth service program offers a combination of housing and support for youth, primarily 16-19 years of age, who are unable to reside at home due to abuse or emotional neglect, family dysfunction and breakdown, or educational difficulties, to name a few. Let’s face it – children and youth today are dealing with far more dangerous issues than they did in the past and homelessness is just a symptom of many other issues and challenges. Many youth come to us with emotional/behavioral difficulties: difficulty with anger, experimentation with drugs and/or alcohol, manipulative behaviour, and/or inadequate coping skills. These youth are at a critical time in their adult development. As we see it “If you catch a teenager early…when they are just starting to go off the path…then we can help them back on track”.
These are youth who are putting their futures at risk. Skills and insights learned through the mandatory components of the program are reinforced every day, creating more potential for real change. A youth can learn the ability to function under stress or how to show leadership potential. Staff members can help him/her recognize how to apply emerging talents in new ways throughout his/her daily life. Overall, these enhanced feelings of self-worth foster introspection, improve relationship building skills and teach youth honest communication. The youth develop positive social skills with adults and peers and take responsibility/accountability for their actions. At Pathways we believe that each individual is valuable and unique and is deserving of concern and attention. We have a profound respect for the spark at the core of each vulnerable youth that spark of creative life energy, which can be fanned into a flame by a structured, nurturing and supportive environment
Our Two Residential Youth Homes
We offer each young resident a safe and comfortable place to work on his/her issues. We work with them to deal with these challenges. Ultimately, our goal is to help these young people achieve their goals and dreams.
We operate two, staffed, co-ed homes in Markham for homeless York Region youth 16 to 19 years of age. Our service is unique in the Region, because the youth we serve are not required to stay in the program. It's entirely voluntary.
Expectations
If you are a young person in need, or a parent seeking help for your teen, here’s what you can expect from Pathways:
- We give young people a place to start making choices that will improve their quality of life.
- Young people, who can no longer remain at home or have already left home, can remain in their community.
- Each youth receives individual focus, resulting in programs that are safe, healthy, respectful, supportive and effective.
- The environment is strongly nurturing, where role models help youth develop new life skills and absorb community and social norms.
- Support is available for parents, whenever possible, including family counselling.
As a youth, this is what Pathways expects of you:
- This isn't a joy ride. You're expected to be responsible for your behaviour and actions while residing at Pathways.
- You will contribute (if you are working) to the daily running of the household.
- You must participate in ongoing programs focusing on life skills and counselling to help you deal with the issues that play a role in your homelessness.
- You're must be either in school full-time or working full-time.
- You're expected to understand and respect the rules of the program.
Programming
Life Skills is an integral component of the long-term objectives of the program. Our goal is to help individuals move from homelessness to self-sufficiency; to improve the social, health and economic well being of youth. Life Skills are key to healthy and independent living, and we teach social competencies, planning and decision-making, constructive use of time and choosing positive values to guide their choices. These are the skills we all need to live day to day.
Life Skills
- One evening per week; attendance is mandatory.
- You learn the skills that lead to healthy and independent living.
- These are the skills we all need to live day to day (budgeting, money management, job search training, nutrition/food shopping, healthy sexuality).
- Personal Values/Development (values, ethics, self-esteem, good communication, problem-solving/conflict resolution, anger/stress management, coping and addiction).
Counselling Support Program
Formal counselling is a key facet of the housing program. This provides the youth with a safe setting, independent from other aspects of their life, for them to contemplate where they are emotionally, cognitively, where they want to go, and how to narrow that gap (both one-to-one and family counselling is provided).
Weekly House Meetings
Attendance is mandatory. Discussions centre around goals for residents, opportunities and barriers faced etc. This is a chance for the youth to have a voice in the household.
Dinner Chores
Each resident cooks for the other members of the household one night a week. The duties include cooking,, setting table and clean-up,
Sunday Chores
On a rotating basis, youth will assist in chores such as cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors, cutting the grass etc.
Weekly room clean
Every resident cleans his/her room from top to bottom once a week
Recreation
On most occasions, there are activities that will engage the resident in recreational activities such as street hockey, basketball pick up games, YMCA Gym memberships for physical fitness etc.
Residential Services Admission Criteria
There are several key elements that must be met in order for a youth to be accepted into our program. They are:
- Youth must voluntarily want the services
- 16-19 years of age
- In need of housing
- Not physically violent or aggressive
- Able to live in a co-operative environment
The following information is required to facilitate referrals for residential services:
- Name of youth
- Age/Gender
- Address and area presently residing
- Level of parental involvement
- Overview of youth in school or work
- Difficulties/concerns
- Information regarding substance use/abuse; involvement with the justice system; and other services involved
Our agency serves clients who reside or have resided in York Region and Central East Region. Priority will be given to York Region residents and those identified as most in need.
Contact Us
Whether you are a youth in need or a parent going through a rough time with your youth, Pathways is here for you. We recognize that moving from childhood into adulthood can be frightening and confusing. There is no shame in needing the support of others. EVERYONE needs help at times.
If you think Pathways can help you, please call us at (905) 471-7877.
