Youthlink Residence
Tour the Residence
Is it for me?
Are you a young woman between the ages of 14 and 18 looking for a safe, welcoming setting to live? This program has two components, one for young women who require a fair amount of support and direction; the other for young women who need less support and are preparing for semi-independence or independent living. Both components are offered to young women who are able to function in a community setting and are willing to participate in a treatment residence.
What can I expect?
The residence offers a safe, supportive setting with full-time staff who will help you set and achieve your goals. We help you prepare for independence while encouraging contact with community, family and support systems. You will have access to counselling, life skills groups and recreational. Residents are required to attend school or be employed during the day. Find out more
How do I apply?
Please speak to our Intake Counsellor at 416-967-1773. If the program is a good match for you, we will arrange for an interview and a tour of the Residence.
Make a Referral
Referrals can be made by contacting our Intake Counsellor. Each referral is evaluated for suitability to increase the young women’s chances for success. Reasons for referrals may include physical and or sexual abuse, conflict with parents/guardians, problems at school, substance abuse, anger management and/or mental heath issues.
A safe, supportive setting with full-time staff who will help you set and achieve your goals.
The YouthLink Residence is a specialized group setting for young women who need intensive support, as they are unable to live with their family, a foster family or in a group home.
The program combines treatment for mental health concerns with life-skills training and emphasizes diversity and inclusiveness. Youth are required to attend school or have a job.
The residence can accommodate up to 12 youth and is staffed around the clock by professional youth workers. Each young woman is assigned a counsellor who works with the resident and her family, if appropriate. Initially, residents live in a highly structured environment that focuses on treatment and stability and builds resilience and self-esteem. As residents develop competence in their daily needs, they may progress to the Third Floor Program, which places higher emphasis on self-sufficiency and life skills, and begins to connect residents with community and/or family supports. Residents also have access to a special classroom through Delisle Youth Services if they require additional educational support.
Some residents then move to our co-op housing as they take further steps towards independence. Many continue their connection with residence staff and counsellors as they as continue this transition.
Jane's story
In 2008, Jane arrived in Toronto at the age of 16 from Ghana, sponsored by a family friend. Shortly after her arrival, the sponsorship broke down as she was treated badly and expected to cook and clean for the household with no pay and did not attend school. Jane left the home and ended up living in a shelter for several months, completely alone. The shelter helped refer her to YouthLink’s residential program, where she lived for a year and worked on many issues.
During her stay, she told us that she had experienced serious physical abuse from her father and did not feel safe returning to Ghana and a claim for refugee status was made. Our staff helped Jane to file her claim and navigate the various paperwork required for her application. Her refugee claim was accepted in 2009.
Residence staff also helped her to adjust to a new country and her immense feeling of homesickness and sadness due to the separation from her mother. An excellent student, Jane wanted to become a nurse and began working towards completing the high school credits needed to apply. Staff also helped Jane gain the necessary skills to live on her own, which was particularly challenging as she had to adjust to living in a new country without family support and navigate new systems. This included gaining I.D., obtaining a work permit while she awaited her refugee claim completion and accessing Ontario Works.
Eventually, these issues were sorted out and Jane was able to move into a co- op program, where she is currently living and finishing up her last year of high school. Our Residence staff continue to offer her support, helping her navigate the tricky process of applying for college. Happily, Jane will begin studying at college in the fall of 2010.
