Youth Homelessness in Toronto Talk w/ Covenant House – The Editoral
Our curiosity was far past “ Welcome to the real world, kid” a piece I wrote a month ago, explaining my frustration in regards to youth homelessness, particularly in Toronto. I personally received such great feedback, on something I believe wasn’t enough, it was half of what I as a writer could offer. I knew I had to reach out to one of my credible sources used, Covenant House. 2 platforms, one story. We decided that we wanted to spread the word in more than just one place because unfortunately, this matter is growing rapidly. I introduced myself to Michael Sheiner, the PR Associates Manager via email which led him to provide me more background on who would be best suited to take the lead interview, that was – Aleksander, the Employment Counselor at the facility, who is pictured below and featured in our on-camera interview. We wanted to hit every page a question mark could be printed, for information regarding their procedures for human trafficking, tools Aleksander uses when youth take a step back from progression, his story with Covenant house and so forth. We will provide a link below to the entire 1st part of the interview.
Touching on their Cooking For Life Program – that assists youth in preparation for the hospitality industry, we take a deeper look at how this program is so needed and the process these youth go through. Not only just that but we touch on Aleksander’s secret but not so secret barber tendencies. In the beginning, how did you manage your volunteer coiffeur skills and being an employment counselor, was it an easy marry? Actually, it was an easy marry said Aleksander –Facilitating the barber shop and being an employment counselor kind of come hand and hand. I like to put it this way – I personally won’t go to an interview without a fresh haircut and I don’t expect any of the youth to as well. Whenever there is a youth that wanted a haircut for an interview, for a big job fair or event I would cut their hair for them and it led to the discussion of confidence building, proper hygiene and the importance of looking good. The faces that these youth make when they first get that haircut and walking into that interview, their confidence just shoots through the roof. Those are the little things that get people to get that certain job or an opportunity that they might not have previously.
On behalf of Michael Kim whom is involved with the culinary arts training program, we must ask before we get into navigating graduates of Cooking for Life, what kind of training do these youth entail to become prepared in the food industry? In Cooking for Life, it’s a 15-week paid training program. We prepare youth with everything they need to be successful working in a professional kitchen. That could mean, resume writing with myself, interview skills and all pre-employment needs. Aleksander also mentioned he is working with an external agency in getting certification such as smart service for their youth. Giving them all the knowledge they need to be successful in the real world is what we teach and support at the program – expressed Aleksander.
Was there or has been a time where a particular restaurant declined the so-called ‘partnership’ and does it create that small lack of faith in humanity and if it hasn’t happened how would you deal with that wee bit of pressure of these youth relying on you? I can’t recall a situation where a restaurant wasn’t interested in being a partner with Covenant House, ( small amount of relief that was lifted off my chest) that technically isn’t my role, my colleague Michael, he creates those partnerships. But the time I have been here, the employers have been quite on board. With Covenant House, the main thing is building that awareness for those employers such as these are the types of clientele we serve, the challenges they face and let’s work together as a team to help and support them being successful in their lives. As long as there is that mutual understanding, everything seems to work out fine.
How would you like to see the city of Toronto, as in the people, become more involved establishing the Cooking for Life program? Marketing and advertising are obviously very helpful, letting the community know what we do here and what the Cooking for Life program does as well the success stories defiantly help boost things and get the ball rolling a bit more.
Unlike some professions, at the end of the day, it must be gratifying knowing you made such a major contribution to these youth. Your thoughts on you spending time at Covenant House, has it even affected your self-growth as a human? I defiantly matured a lot, Now, as an employment counselor, I am a lot more grateful where I came from and where I grew up. I am also more aware of what other people face, it can be surprising. The person you are sitting beside at Starbucks or Tim Hortons can be homeless – It’s small details like that you don’t really know of and if you didn’t really grow up around it you wouldn’t be aware. Those things I have a stronger understanding of.
Though the positives are so strong, you can only take so many into a program- is it a heavy criteria? It’s quite simple, it’s a certain age group 16-26 – then you are eligible as well are legally able to work in Canada and considered to be at risk. At risk can really mean anything – of homelessness, poverty and facing some sort of challenges in your life. The process includes an interview with myself, I meet with them and assess their lives. Do the referrals come from Social Services? They can come from anywhere, schools, probation parole, other shelters, community centers and individuals looking for a job and see a posting to inquire. I have a lot of university students – all walks of life.
In their own way, they are at risk in something and I support them there.
A key message from Covenant House I wanted to share:
“ As Canada’s largest agency serving at-risk, homeless and trafficked youth, Covenant House Toronto changes lives by providing the widest range of services and support as many as 250 youth a day. More than a place to stay, we provide 24/7 crisis shelter and transitional housing on-site and in the community, along with comprehensive services including education, counseling, health care, employment assistance, job training, and aftercare. To do all of this, we rely on donors for more than 80 percent of our $27 million annual operating budget. Our doors are open to youth 16 to 24 regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or circumstances that have brought them to our doors. Since opening our doors in 1982, Covenant House has served almost 95,000 young people”
The stats are continuous and their program highlights are endless. We as humans are a contagious movement and by using our resources to help others, especially our future, we create a small amount of light planted in each of our hearts, that does not stop growing. Each seed is worth something even though how tiny it starts out to be.
Again a massive Thank You to Covenant House for allowing us into their extremely humble abode. Like mentioned the first part of the interview is attached, so please share this article and on-camera piece with your friends, family, and co-workers and spread our energy into our backyard’s soil.
Written by: Sadie Kromm
