Our Mission
The mission of Eva's Initiatives is to work
collaboratively with homeless and at-risk youth to help them reach their potential
to lead productive, self-sufficient and healthy lives by providing safe
shelter and a range of services, and to create long term solutions for
homeless youth by developing and implementing proactive and progressive
services.
Our History
Eva's Place first opened
its doors in 1994 and in 10 short years we have expanded from one to three
shelters - with the addition of Eva's Satellite and Eva's Phoenix - each offering an innovative
combination of programs and services for homeless and at-risk youth.
Since our first day of operation, Eva's Initiatives has helped over 19,000
youth from the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada. Every year,
approximately 2300 youth receive help with such diverse issues as substance
abuse, finding a job, finishing school, learning life skills, receiving
career training, sex education, exploring recreational opportunities and
family re-connection.
Inspired by the legacy of Eva Smith, Eva's Initiatives strives to keep her
vision alive by providing a supportive, diverse and safe environment for
the youth we serve.
Statistics
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:·
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The youth unemployment rate is nearing 17% - almost
double the Toronto
average.·
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Suicide among street youth remains a major problem, occurring
at rates over 100 times the national average.·
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The mortality rate for homeless youth is 13 times
higher than other youth in their age group.·
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23% of male youth and 43% of female youth on the
streets show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.·
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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.
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(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.
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Eva Smith (1923 - 1993)
Eva Smith was a
community outreach worker and counsellor who knew and understood people in
despair, particularly youth. She was a woman of action, determination and
persistence.
In 1987, she helped
to found the North York Emergency Home for Youth. Her work and advocacy
resulted in the construction of our first shelter, Eva's Place, which was
named in her honour. Eva Smith's mission was to use her skills and her
knowledge of how the social services system works to help people find
solutions to their problems.
As our organization
continues to grow and provide innovative approaches to meet the ever
changing needs of homeless youth, Eva's Initiatives and the work we do
stands as a proud tribute to her vision and pioneering work with homeless
youth.
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Eva's Initiatives Board of Directors 2006-2007
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President: Emree Siaroff
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Vice-President: Zahir Lalani
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Treasurer: Michael Cossar
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Secretary:
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Directors:
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Heather Brown
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Jean Paul Brown
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Michael Crane
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Ettie Dawkins
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Nicholas Dureault
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Patricia Gloudon
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Jane Haberbusch
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Jennifer Ocampo-King
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Councillor David Shiner
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Ken Silver
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David St.
Amand
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Honourary Members:
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Ed Smith
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Edeva Smith
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Ex-officio:
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Maria Crawford
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Executive Director
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