It is estimated that 10,000 young people are currently ‘living’ in poverty on Toronto streets – that’s three out of every 100 Toronto youth, or the equivalent of eight average Toronto high schools. The statistics for this marginalized group are less than optimistic:
- The youth unemployment rate is nearing 17% – almost double the Toronto average.
- Suicide among street youth remains a major problem, occurring at rates over 100 times the national average.
- The mortality rate for homeless youth is 13 times higher than other youth in their age group.
- 23% of male youth and 43% of female youth on the streets show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
- It costs more than $250 a day – close to $100,000 a year – to keep one young person in detention, more than three times what it costs to keep that same person in a shelter.
(Sources: Toronto Vital Signs 2004; Sean Kidd, 2003: Voice for Children report; Department of Justice: National Crime Prevention Centre, 2001)
There is a pressing need for new approaches and long-term solutions to help youth break the cycle of homelessness and make the transition from living on the streets to finding permanent housing and employment. Eva’s Initiatives prides itself on its ongoing efforts to seek long-term solutions by offering proactive and collaborative programs and services that respond directly to the needs of homeless and at-risk youth in our community – and provide the stability they require to move off the streets permanently.
