Youthlink

Supportive Co-op Housing

YOUTHLINK offers a range of residences with various locations throughout the City of Toronto. All are community-based settings with programs offering varying degrees of support. The support programs emphasize individual goal setting, peer counselling, groups, life-skills leading towards independence, while encouraging contact with community, family and support systems. Referral sources are varied, and reasons may include physical and/ or sexual abuse, conflict with parents/guardians, problems in school, substance abuse, anger management difficulties or mental health issues. Each referral is evaluated for suitability to ensure that the placement is successful.

Co-op Housing (males 16-24 & females 16-21)

YOUTHLINK's Co-op Housing Program provides supportive housing for young men and women who are in full-time school and/or work programs and who are ready to be away from home or a high support residential facility. These programs are designed to help young people gain the skills necessary to move on to more independent living within a year. Co-op residents have the support of a live-in mentor who supports them in gaining life skills, a Program Coordinator who works with them to address their individual goals and a Counsellor if needed. One of the young women's co-ops operates without a mentor, using a “senior resident model" and is appropriate for young women ready to manage greater responsibility and independence.