Courtney Bain was living on the streets at 18 years old.
The London woman, who has since turned her life around, noted it was the older homeless people she encountered who introduced her to drugs, which added to her struggle.
"Experimenting with drugs ended up seeming so normal because everyone around me was doing it," said Bain. "By the time I was 21, death no longer scared me because I knew it was the only thing I was promised. I was watching friends die around me at a rate of four a year."
She said her past situation is one that is all too common among homeless youth in the city but could be remedied by a new emergency youth shelter planned for a 1.6 acre property on Clarke Rd.
Architectural rendering of YOU's emergency youth shelter on Clarke Rd.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) announced the northeast-end site for its $3.3-million facility Friday. The single-storey, 30-bedroom shelter would offer young homeless people a safe place to eat and sleep. While at the shelter, youth would have access to YOU's training, education, and employment services.
Bain, a former YOU client, applauded the agency's decision to build the facility away from the city's core.
"Something I think is going to help more youth find success getting off the streets is that fact that this space is not in the downtown," said Bain. "Youth will have a safe space away from the sad realities and rabbit holes that exist in the bubble of downtown street life. They will also be around peers so they may not find themselves swayed by the older adult influence on the street."
Another positive of the site at 585, 587, and 589 Clarke Rd., near Oxford St. is the green space it offers.
"When youth are experiencing homelessness there is no privacy. You're either living on the street or living in a shelter that is a bunk style. So where do you go for your own peace and quiet? You don't have a space," said YOU Executive Director Steve Cordes. "Within this site, we are building a courtyard area that gives them some privacy so they don't feel they are on display all the time. They can have a cigarette on an outdoor patio rather than have to stand on the side of a busy street and inadvertently create a barrier between them and neighbours."
The city has kicked in $1.2-million in capital funding for the shelter. Some of that money was used to purchase the Clarke Rd. land. Three vacant homes on the property will be demolished.
More than 300 flyers were hand delivered to neighbours in the area Friday, informing them of the future site of the shelter. Information open houses will be held on June 27 and July 9.
"[Neighbours] will be able to ask questions and learn about some of the people behind the organization and if they have any concerns about the project, of course, we are going to listen," said Cordes.
The youth-only shelter would be one of only 15 in Canada and a first for London.
YOU is accepting donations to help cover the cost of the multi-million dollar facility.
"It's donations of cash but we can also get very creative. If there are companies out there that want to donate new fixtures, window frames, any of the materials that go into building a shelter, we would be open to that," said Cordes. "It is just as good as cash because if we don't have to buy the materials, that helps too."
Construction of the youth shelter is expected to begin by the end of the year.
