Backpack Day at YSM
Last Thursday, children and their parents stopped by Yonge Street Mission to choose from among the over new 600 backpacks filled with school supplies so kindly donated by local churches and...
View ArticleEvan’s story
Evan* became homeless when he was just 19. He came to YSM initially to visit our Evergreen Health and Dental Centre, but instead ended up eating a hot meal, having a shower, and getting clothes,...
View ArticleLia’s story
Even as Lia* experienced homelessness, she was quick to give whatever she could to help those around her.“When I see people struggling, I want to help them get through whatever they are going...
View ArticleA community in action: #HackPoverty
“Most of us would do something to help people journey out of poverty, if only we knew what we could do.”This was YSM President & CEO Angie Peters’ premise when she invited 34 leaders from 5...
View Article“Be a Tonya for someone”
“I had no problem finding jobs—it was keeping a job that was the problem,” Robert explained during a panel discussion about YSM President & CEO Angie Peters’ new book Just Act. “Because as soon as...
View ArticleHow does Housing at YSM support our community?
A Q&A with YSM Manager of Housing Services Kristin Booy about the work of Yonge Street Mission’s Housing team (pictured above) Q: Kristin, have housing needs changed since you began with YSM? A:...
View ArticleThe invaluable support of a mentor
As Melanie Kisirye worked in the court system with survivors of abuse and assault, she was deeply troubled to see youth who had already lost all hope for the future. Many were navigating the impact of...
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Working Together for Stability & Security
Early this year, Rebecca* started her new job as a security guard at Paragon Security and since then has noticed her mood improving, “How I feel about myself is just more regulated. It feels less...
View ArticlePoverty Myth Busting: Changing Lives
Our second webinar, “Poverty Myth Busters: Changing Lives,” deepens our understanding of poverty in Toronto, and discuss tangible actions we can take to be part of the solution.The panel is comprised...
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Computer Literacy Centre Celebrates Graduating Class of 2022
The spring and summer season tend to bring many moments of celebrations and fun to YSM! This year is no different as our Computer Literacy Centre celebrated 58 graduating students, ranging in age from...
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Engaging Families and Youth in Ending Poverty in Toronto
This fall, YSM will be introducing a new youth and family engagement program, inspired by the experience of long-standing YSM advocate and supporter, John Fenton.While just 11 years old, John was...
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A Belief in Legacy Giving
At YSM we remain focused on serving the Toronto community while also working to secure and advance our programs and their impact for the decades ahead. As such, we’re working to keep strengthening...
View ArticlePoverty Myth Busters: Community Building
Our third webinar, Poverty Myth Busters: Building Community, dives deeper into the ways in which YSM and community agencies are working together to create a support network for struggling neighbours....
View ArticleBehind The Scenes: A Day in our Life at the Mission
Our fourth webinar, Behind The Scenes: A Day in our Life at the Mission, pulls back the curtain and shows the daily struggles of the community members we serve and the lives transformed through the...
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Hack Poverty: A Plan to End Chronic Poverty in Toronto
Yonge Street Mission is dedicated to its mission of ending chronic poverty in Toronto in one generation. This ambitious goal will only be achieved through the collective partnership with and support...
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Meet our Community Member Trevor
For many years *Trevor led a fairly modest life. He had an evolving career in film and television, a close-knit group of friends, and enjoyed several hobbies including building and painting military...
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Community Member Aisha Meets Her Care Manager
YSM care managers are vital in establishing a connection with our community members and in creating the trust required to support them on their unique journey towards stability.A care manager at YSM’s...
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Jan Rothenburger: The People’s Pastor
In 1991, after recently coming to faith, Jan Rothenburger found herself at a unique church service at YSM’s Evergreen Centre. The church served as a safe space for community members to call ‘home’,...
View ArticlePathways to Meaningful Income: An Individual’s Journey
Supported by Future Skills Centre, Pathways to Meaningful Income: An Individual’s Journey explores how a community member living in poverty secures meaningful employment, as well as mental health...
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Meet Renaldo Wall, Director of Street-Involved Services
Back in the summer of 2022, Renaldo had been feeling it was time for a career change. He had been praying that he’d be delivered to such a change when a friend sent him a YSM job posting seeking a...
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Regent’s Tank
REGENT'S TANK: YSM MICRO-GRANT PITCH COMPETITION YSM is launching an exciting event that will culminate in small local-community business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, presenting a formal pitch...
View ArticlePathways to Meaningful Income: The Employer’s Experience
Supported by Future Skills Centre, Pathways to Meaningful Income: The Employer’s Experience explores how YSM collaborates with community members to provide personalized employment skills training, job...
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The Power of Philanthropy
Partnerships play a vital role in Yonge Street Mission’s ability to serve the community. One of our trusted collaborations, which dates back to 2019, is with electric power company Kinectrics. It...
View ArticleStrengthening Family Bonds
Since January, YSM’s Cornerstone Family Services has been piloting an innovative program with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST) to provide an onsite reunion space where our staff supervises...
View ArticleMeet CATM’s Assistant Pastor Jonathan Tysick
Despite being early in his career, YSM’s newest member of our Church at the Mission (CATM) Pastoral Care team, Jonathan Tysick has accumulated a wealth of lived experience beyond that of many who may...
View ArticlePathways to Meaningful Income: Systems Navigation
Supported by Future Skills Centre, Pathways to Meaningful Income: Systems Navigation explores how YSM’s Care Management Program guides community members to achieve forward movement in their lives and...
View ArticleYSM’s Computer Literacy Centre: A life-giving place
Yathu’s storyEighteen years ago, when Yathu was in seventh grade, his mom told him she’d signed him up for a computer club at YSM twice a week after school. Yathu’s parents had come to Canada as part...
View ArticleCornerstone students enter the YSM Fish Tank
What gets kids thinking as entrepreneurs and diving enthusiastically into learning about money management? A challenge, in January, to compete in YSM’s first-ever Fish Tank, a business case...
View ArticleOur new Evergreen Health Centre has opened!
Almost a decade ago, Ryanne* visited YSM’s Evergreen Centre for Street-Involved Youth when she needed a meal. “I didn’t know they had a healthcare centre until I needed it,” she recalls. “It almost...
View ArticleTrauma-informed art therapy group heals through connection
In a YSM art therapy group, one participant created a collage of images as she wrote down the ideas she wanted to remember: “I’m unique, but also I’m not unique. Others have similar tales, and it’s...
View Article#HackPoverty celebration
In April, we celebrated the ongoing work of the #HackPoverty Initiative and one year of our #HackPoverty Working Groups collaborating together. What is #HackPoverty? If you are not familiar with the...
View ArticleEaster joy at YSM
Just before Easter, our Bridges’ team hosted a community Easter dinner, welcoming close to 200 community members for turkey or a vegan option, vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a special treat...
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WWE names YSM a Community Champion
While World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was in Toronto for their July 2024 Money in the Bank event, they named YSM as one of their three Toronto Community Champions. As part of this, we welcomed WWE...
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How YSM disrupts the cycle of poverty: Steve’s story
As a single father and the owner of a struggling business, Steve* had become lost in a maze of debt and overdue taxes. Alone and overwhelmed Steve’s situation became even more overwhelming as he tried...
View ArticleThank you for providing Thanksgiving meals!
This Thanksgiving, we are grateful to all the Yonge Street Mission donors who gave Thanksgiving meals! You provided almost 4,700 Thanksgiving meals for vulnerable youth at our Evergreen Centre, close...
View ArticleFood among friends
As forecasts predict a colder-than-normal winter, and Toronto neighbours face rising isolation and food insecurity, our doors at Yonge Street Mission will be wide open to offer needed support within...
View ArticleHoliday magic in our daycare and nursery
We are always looking for ways to make Christmas and the holiday season extra magical for the children and their families who are part of our nursery and daycare programs.Our Cornerstone Daycare...
View ArticleJoin the 2025 YSM Winter Walk!
We are excited to let you know Yonge Street Mission’s 2nd annual Winter Walk for Neighbours in Need will be held on February 8, 2025!Mark your calendar now and plan to take part in this joyful,...
View ArticleChristmas gifts for vulnerable youth
For vulnerable youth who visit our Evergreen Centre’s Drop-In program, the holidays can be one of the most difficult times of the year. Our Evergreen staff respond by transforming part of the centre...
View ArticleCounting down to Toy Market joy!
This December, our annual Toy Market invites the families engaged in our programs to experience five days of holiday fun and Christmas magic!Regent Park and area parents sign up for a time slot to...
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