It’s 6:30am in west Saint John and 19-year old Ryland is waiting outside his apartment to catch the bus to work. A year ago he was living in a youth shelter after going through an addictions recovery program. A year before that, he couldn’t tell you where he was.  

“That’s the worst part about it. I definitely made a huge change. I’m a whole different person.”

Ryland is 1 of the more than 70 youth who have accessed the Centre for Youth Care (CYC)’s supportive youth housing shelter, Beacon Cove, since its opening in September 2022. 

Beacon Cove provides a safe place to sleep—no questions asked—alongside immediate support for those in urgent need. For youth ages 16 to 18, it becomes a refuge when there is nowhere else to turn.

In February of last year Ryland lost his roommate to an overdose. That was a big motivator for him to get sober. When it was time to leave the recovery program, he didn’t know where to go. Luckily he got connected with staff at CYC, who showed up to support him at a critical time. 

“A big reason why I’m sober now is because of the staff here. They help with the stress and really make you think that you aren’t alone.”

While living at Beacon Cove, Ryland did not have to worry about his safety, where he was going to sleep, or where he would get his next meal. He set goals and rediscovered his passion for carpentry. Ryland landed a carpentry job, but it was with a small company that didn’t have a lot of work. For the next few months, Ryland had a series of short-term contracts, but he knew he needed the stability of full-time work to get an apartment on his own. 

As Executive Director of CYC, I did what many parents do when their child is seeking employment— I reached out to my contacts, asking them to give Ryland a chance. My first call was to Scott Robinson, Project Manager at Hickey Bros. General Contractors.

“I believe in giving somebody a fair chance. And when somebody calls to vouch for a kid looking for an opportunity to work, that says a lot. Ryland works extremely hard. He follows direction, and is open and willing to work alongside others. He has a great work ethic,” said Scott.

Ryland has been putting his skills to use full-time for Hickey Bros. since January and recently got a raise. He also got his learner’s permit and is saving for a vehicle to ease the commute and get home faster to his cat, Tuna. 

“One thing I know I want for sure long term–I want to be a red seal carpenter.” Ryland has begun tracking his first 1,000 hours on the job and is preparing for the first-stage exam.

“I definitely think that if the youth take the time to actually talk to staff and ask for the help here then it can go a lot further than just getting you off the streets.” 

Youth like Ryland cannot plan for their future when they don’t know where they will sleep at night. Your support today can help change that. 

Centre for Youth Care is building supportive housing for youth ages 19 to 25, intervening at a crucial time in the lives of youth. In Saint John, 39% of those currently experiencing homelessness first experienced homelessness before the age of 25. Since opening Beacon Cove, 20 youth have been turned away because they were older than 19.  

Seeing Ryland, who once turned to us for support, now working with Hickey Bros. to build this resource for others is a true full-circle moment. It shows just how much of a difference we can make when we believe in the potential of our youth.

By donating to Centre for Youth Care, you’ll help youth like Ryland get the services they need to succeed.  

You can change what’s possible for youth in our community. Please make a gift today. 

Together, let’s build a foundation of support, opportunity, and possibility. 

Thank you, 

Karen Cummings
Executive Director, Centre for Youth Care Inc.

Ps- Youth in our community needed this resource yesterday. We can’t break the cycle of poverty without access to safe & secure housing. Will you make a special gift today to rise up for youth experiencing homelessness? Your generous gift will help youth ages 19-25, who are experiencing homelessness, get the supports they urgently need.   

Dear friend,

I am writing to share my story and support for the Centre for Youth Care’s urgent supportive housing project that will be the first of its kind for youth ages 19 to 25 in Saint John, NB. It is my hope that by endorsing and supporting this project, we will enable the Centre for Youth Care to help countless youth to establish a foundation for their future achievements.

In 1951, my two sisters, my brother, and I were placed in an orphanage north of Toronto. In 1953, at age nine, I was adopted. Within three years, my adoptive parents divorced. My adoptive mother, mentally and morally stronger than her petite stature might have conveyed, refused to shirk from responsibility. She raised her own son, and me, through our teenage years to adulthood. 

Responsibilities before rights; obligations before entitlements; unselfishness without expectations of reward or recognition were thankfully the way her wisdom governed our up-bringing and ultimately our lives. (In recognition of our mother’s many sacrifices for us, Saint John’s Imperial Theatre’s cloakroom is named in her honour).

Through my years, I have been blessed by the good fortune of meeting the right people at the right times: initially my mom disciplining with compassion; my teachers encouraging my affinity for learning; a family friend validating the values and rewards of hard work; a university colleague directing me to a profession then-unknown to me; fellow chartered accountants, diverse clientele, and many business associates perpetuating and reinforcing that good fortune; but ultimately, a young woman (later my wife) I met on a blind date “opening my eyes” guiding our lives to possibly being someone else’s “right person”.

I am sharing my story to inspire those with means to help others and enable young adults with challenging beginnings to take control and achieve meaningful lives. 

This supportive housing project will provide opportunities for those who have missed being adopted; who have aged out of care; or who may not yet have had similar good fortunes to meet the right people at the right time.

It is never charity to invest in the potential of youth. Your gift will change what’s possible for youth in our community.

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. 

Sincerely, 

Donald, G Mitchener, BA, FCPA, FCA

Retired Senior Tax Partner, Deloitte