Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth

Registered Name: EVA'S INITIATIVES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH

Business No: 132239013RR0001

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It's more than a shelter. It's a fresh start.

Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth

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about

Eva’s Initiatives for Homeless Youth provides shelter, transitional housing, and health and well-being programming to help youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Toronto. Our expert staff help young people in need reach their potential and lead fulfilling, healthy lives.

Eva’s was founded in 1989 by Eva Smith, a Jamaican immigrant and Black community activist. Eva’s consists of four sites across Toronto that support more than 200 youth between the ages of 16 to 24 each day.

Our programs are open to all youth and are culturally responsive and trauma-informed to meet the unique needs of Black youth. We use anti-Black racism and anti-oppression lenses to centre the needs and experiences of youth experiencing homelessness, placing intentional emphasis on serving Black youth who have been historically and continually underserved and marginalized across the social services spectrum.

Donations to Eva’s help provide youth with safe shelter, one-on-one support, access to trauma-informed and culturally responsive programs, life skills programming, and housing support. All donations support Eva’s greatest needs.

Eva’s was recognized by Charity Intelligence as one of the Top 10 Impact: Canadian Youth Charities of 2022.

*All donations will receive a tax receipt from Canada Helps. Funds are then directly disbursed to Eva's.

Learn more, Read Charity Intelligence's star rating and review of Eva's.

Charity Intelligence

What people are saying

The life skills I learned, and the housing support I received at Eva’s left an imprint. It’s stuff I still use today: learning how to get and stay out of debt and save money, learning my rights as a tenant… I didn’t know any of these things.

Reno, former resident

supporter wall

Jill G donated $30.00!
Thanks for all the great work you do!
Andy P donated $50.00!
Thank you for all the great work you do!
Sana H donated $72.00!
Love what you do, youth is where our future is
Septembre A donated $40.00!
I really love what you all do, especially for Black youth experiencing homelessn...
NAOMI L donated $20.00!
In memory of Bebe Isha Beekie. From The Prayer Group
Jagjot P donated $25.00!
Thank you for all the great work you do!

Showing 1 to 6 of 14 results

REGISTERED CHARITY ADDRESS

60 Brant Street

TORONTO, ON, M5V 3G9

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Our Impact

overview

In Toronto, over 1,000 homeless youth access shelters each night. The total number is likely higher due to hidden homelessness, where youth couch surf or sleep in cars and vacant buildings. Safe shelter is just the beginning.

Research indicates that emergency shelter stays aren't sufficient to break the cycle of homelessness. To address the root causes, including racism, discrimination, poverty, housing instability, and inadequate mental health support, we must tackle systemic issues in education, health care, housing, criminal justice, and immigration.

Eva's residents face marginalization, discrimination, and concurrent needs such as mental health, trauma, and addiction support. As war, human rights abuses, and environmental disasters continue globally, more youth refugees seek support from Eva's upon arriving in Canada—an emerging trend we closely monitor to provide relevant assistance.

Given their stage of development, these youth require 24-7 help and advocacy to achieve educational, employment, and housing goals and move beyond a state of emergency crisis.

Our results

200

Youth find safety and support at Eva's every dayThrough our emergency shelter and transitional housing programs

30%

The gap in government funding to deliver our programs and servicesWe rely on generous support from our community to fill this gap

169%

Year-over-year increase in youth who gained employment at Eva'sHelping them to gain vital life skills as they move along their journey to independence

From Eva's 2021-22 Annual Report

766

Youth accessed Eva's programs and services last yearAcross our four sites offering emergency shelter and transitional housing programs.

51%

Of the young people we support self-identify as BlackThe legacy of colonialism and anti-Black racism that exists throughout different systems results in the over-representation of Black youth among young people experiencing homelessness.

98%

Our average occupancy rate All of our shelters are full each night, and youth are staying longer due to the lack of access to affordable housing, the higher cost of living, and more complex needs.

It's about more than the numbers. We are seeing heightened, more complex needs among youth experiencing homelessness.

Our Programs (5)

supporting information*

Revenue and Expenses by Year ($)

Reporting Period End Date: 2023-09-30

121

full-time employees

part-time employees

$8,455,680

total compensation for all employees

$53,366

professional & consulting fees

*Based on the information Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides to CanadaHelps