What We Do - Centre for Youth Care

programs

Shelter, Housing & Community Based Care

Providing meaningful care for youth is never the work of one person- it is built through relationships, teamwork, and a shared commitment to showing up every day.

At Centre for Youth Care, our work is made possible by a dedicated Board, leadership team and administration, and most importantly by our youth care workers who are the backbone and heart of everything we do.

Our teams bring compassion, skill, and a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, meeting young people where they are and walking alongside them as they build their futures.

Shelter & Housing Programs

Beacon Cove

Beacon Cove supports youth ages 16–18 through two connected components: a low-barrier, rapid-response shelter and a supportive housing program.

Both are grounded in a Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) approach, alongside trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and youth-centred practice. We prioritize immediate access to safe housing without preconditions, while surrounding youth with the supports, relationships, and resources they need to move forward.

Community Based Youth Care

Thibodeau House

Thibodeau House provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for youth who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong relationships and providing individualized support that fosters growth, resilience, and independence. Youth are actively involved in planning and decision-making, ensuring their voices are heard, respected, and reflected in their journey forward.

Victoria House

Victoria House provides a safe, nurturing, and stable home for youth ages 12 and under who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong, caring relationships and creating opportunities for typical childhood experiences- play, routine, connection, and a sense of belonging. Through individualized support, each child is encouraged to grow, build confidence, and experience consistency, care, and stability in their daily lives.

Dougherty House

Dougherty House provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for youth who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong relationships, individualized support, and meaningful connection to the community. Youth are supported to engage in community life, build natural supports, and develop a sense of belonging beyond the program. They are actively involved in planning and decision-making, ensuring their voices are heard, respected, and reflected in their journey forward.

Independent Living Suite

Independent Living Suite

This program is designed for youth who are ready to build essential life skills while having access to support when they need it. Located in the lower level of Dougherty House, the space offers a balance of independence and connection, with staff available upstairs at all times to ensure safety and provide guidance as needed.

Grounded in the Equitable Standards and rooted in a youth-centered approach, the program prioritizes collaboration with each young person in developing personalized plans. Youth are supported in working toward their goals in education, employment, and personal development, while building the confidence and skills needed for greater independence.

Emergency Care Unit

The Emergency Care Unit (ECU) provides short-term, responsive support for youth ages 13–18 who need a safe place to land during times of crisis or transition. ECU offers a supportive environment where safety, stability, and well-being are the top priorities.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and youth-centred approach, the program focuses on meeting youth where they are, without judgment, while building trust and connection at their own pace. Staff provide consistent, relationship-based support, helping youth navigate immediate needs and connect with services related to housing, mental health, education, and family supports.

While stays are short-term, the focus extends beyond immediate care. ECU supports thoughtful transitions, ensuring each young person leaves with a plan, stronger connections, and a sense of belonging.

Wilson House

Wilson House provides care for children ages 4–12 who need a safe and supportive place during times of uncertainty for them or their families.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, child-centred approach, the program focuses on creating a calm, nurturing environment where children can experience stability, routine, and connection. Through individualized support and strong, caring relationships, children are supported in their development, with attention to age-appropriate milestones, learning, and growth. We work alongside families and partners to plan for what comes next, including reunification whenever possible.

Russell House

Russell House provides a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for youth who need space, stability, and connection.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and youth-centred approach, the program focuses on meeting youth where they are and walking alongside them with individualized support. Through consistent, caring relationships, youth are supported to build resilience, strengthen coping, and move forward at their own pace.

Old Ridge

Old Ridge provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for youth who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong relationships and providing individualized support that fosters growth, resilience, and independence. The program creates opportunities for shared experiences and connection, while also giving youth space to grow, learn, and build on their strengths in their own ways.

Bridgeview

Bridgeview provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for youth who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong relationships and providing individualized support that fosters growth, resilience, and independence. Bridgeview supports youth with developmental disabilities, including FASD, ASD, and global developmental delays, with approaches tailored to their unique strengths and needs. Youth are supported to participate in planning and decision-making in ways that reflect their abilities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.

Horsler House

Horsler House provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for youth who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong relationships and providing individualized support that fosters growth, resilience, and independence. Horsler House supports youth with developmental disabilities, including FASD, ASD, and global developmental delays, with approaches tailored to their unique strengths and needs. Youth are supported to participate in planning and decision-making in ways that reflect their abilities, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.

Maclaren House

MacLaren House provides a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for youth who require supportive care.

Grounded in a trauma-informed, youth-centred approach, the program focuses on building strong relationships and providing individualized support that prepares youth for the transition to independence. Through hands-on life skills development, goal setting, and meaningful connection, youth are supported to build confidence and navigate their next steps. Youth are actively involved in planning and decision-making, ensuring their voices are heard and reflected in their journey forward.

Martin House

Martin House provides a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment for youth who need space, stability, and connection.

Collaborative& Trauma Informed Approach

Centre for Youth Care’s programs provide individualized, strengths-based care that reflects each young person’s needs and goals.

We prioritize collaboration with families, community partners, and natural supports, alongside connection, full community integration, and a deep respect for diversity in everything we do.