Drop-In and Outreach

Evergreen’s Drop-In provides over 40,000 nutritious meals to street youth each year. Hot lunches are served each weekday all year long, and dinners are provided from October to May. We also offer showers, clinics to help youth obtain an identification card, and a safe place to relax. Our specialty programs include Girls Group, STAND, Anger Management and an Art program.

Outreach services for street-involved youth include jail visits, help with moving, accompaniment to court or meetings with other government agencies, gym and fitness activities and camping.

Drop-In Centre offers:

• A safe place to be away from the streets
• Acceptance and love
• Hot, nutritious meals and snacks
• Games and recreation
• Referrals and advocacy
• Informal counselling
• Emergency clothing
• Telephone access
• Hot showers
• Legal aid
• Haircuts
• Help getting an ID
• Outreach to new youth on the street, including prison visits and accompaniment to court appearances

Addictions Counselling

Of the over 5,400 street-involved or homeless youth who visit Evergreen every year, a large majority have a substance abuse problem. In the fall of 2010, YSM launched a pilot project to address the needs of street youth who have addiction issues. We offer a 16-week, structured program with participants developing goals and individualized action plans.

“If it weren’t for the addictions counselling at Evergreen and the fact that staff have been there for me through hard times, I would be in jail, homeless or dead.” A young man now in stable housing, clean for eight months. He started using cocaine at age 15, went on to heroin and crystal meth.

Anger Management

Anger is a serious problem for many youth who spend most of their time on the streets. This program teaches them how to deal with anger in a positive, non-violent manner.

Art Program

Art is therapeutic for youth who have been negatively impacted by life on the streets. This program offers opportunities for artistic expression through visual media, music, writing workshops, drama, and other art forms.

Camping

Four times each year, our staff takes small groups of youth on camping trips.  Campers are able to enjoy dog sledding, white water rafting and other activities, depending on the season.  In this relaxed, outdoor setting, our staff are able to engage with them on a more personal level, and help them understand the importance of making positive changes in their lives.

Girls’ Group

On Thursday nights, Evergreen stays open late–but the men have to leave! We call this time Girls’ Group. It’s an opportunity for the women of Evergreen to come together and enjoy one another’s company. Here, they can get away from the stresses of their daily lives and just have fun the way girls should! Activities include everything from movie nights, to skating outings, to evenings of international cooking. It’s a place where solid, positive relationships are built. Girl’s group is a place of acceptance, belonging, and a lot of fun!

Gym Workouts

Two or three times every week, our staff takes a group of young men or young women to the YMCA to swim, play basketball, or work out. This increased activity leads to a healthier lifestyle and helps program participants stay away from drugs.

STAND

Evergreen has been at the centre of Toronto’s services for sexually exploited youth for many years. This issue has come to the forefront as one of the most prevalent and pressing issues we face on a daily basis. STAND builds on our successful work with young people transitioning their lives by using current resources in a more focused and intentional way. Learn more.

Street Vents

Statistics show us that 82% of women working in prostitution experience physical violence and 71% experience rape. This program seeks to respond to these statistics in a practical way by providing self-defence training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for women who have been or are at risk of being sexually exploited.  Our goal is to provide a safe place for women to grow in confidence, build positive relationships, get physical exercise and have fun.

Who is eligible?—Women and transgender adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who are involved in the sex trade,  are survivors of abuse or assault, or are at high-risk of sexual assault or exploitation.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?—This martial art focuses on technique, balance and leverage.  It is a gentle yet powerful way for a smaller, weaker individual to defend and survive against a larger, stronger opponent.  It is widely regarded as an excellent form of self-defence for women who may be at risk of sexual assault.