The Power of Philanthropy

The Power of Philanthropy

Partnerships play a vital role in Yonge Street Mission’s ability to serve the community. One of our trusted collaborations, which dates back to 2019, is with electric power company Kinectrics. It started when our President & CEO Angie Peters was invited by Kinectrics’ CEO David Harris to speak about YSM’s […]

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Meet Renaldo Wall, Director of Street-Involved Services

Meet Renaldo Wall, Director of Street-Involved Services

Back in the summer of 2022, Renaldo had been feeling it was time for a career change. He had been praying that he’d be delivered to such a change when a friend sent him a YSM job posting seeking a Director of Street-Involved Services.  The role required an established leader […]

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Jan Rothenburger: The People’s Pastor

Jan Rothenburger: The People’s Pastor

In 1991, after recently coming to faith, Jan Rothenburger found herself at a unique church service at YSM’s Evergreen Centre. The church served as a safe space for community members to call ‘home’, especially those not comfortable in other faith communities.  Jan attended Evergreen’s services weekly while connecting with street-involved […]

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Community Member Aisha Meets Her Care Manager

Community Member Aisha Meets Her Care Manager

YSM care managers are vital in establishing a connection with our community members and in creating the trust required to support them on their unique journey towards stability. A care manager at YSM’s Evergreen Centre for Street-Involved Youth recently shared her experience with a young community member named Aisha*: “I […]

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Meet our Community Member Trevor

Meet our Community Member Trevor

For many years *Trevor led a fairly modest life. He had an evolving career in film and television, a close-knit group of friends, and enjoyed several hobbies including building and painting military models. When the pandemic arrived and prevented him from working and socializing with friends, Trevor’s mental health began […]

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Hack Poverty: A Plan to End Chronic Poverty in Toronto

Hack Poverty: A Plan to End Chronic Poverty in Toronto

Yonge Street Mission is dedicated to its mission of ending chronic poverty in Toronto in one generation. This ambitious goal will only be achieved through the collective partnership with and support of many in our community, including donors, funders, volunteers, community and government agencies and elected officials. To further actualize […]

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A Belief in Legacy Giving

A Belief in Legacy Giving

At YSM we remain focused on serving the Toronto community while also working to secure and advance our programs and their impact for the decades ahead. As such, we’re working to keep strengthening both our present and future financial footings. Legacy gifts – especially bequests made in the Wills of […]

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Engaging Families and Youth in Ending Poverty in Toronto

Engaging Families and Youth in Ending Poverty in Toronto

This fall, YSM will be introducing a new youth and family engagement program, inspired by the experience of long-standing YSM advocate and supporter, John Fenton. While just 11 years old, John was brought to YSM by his father, an experience he remembers vividly, one after which John vowed to commit […]

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Computer Literacy Centre Celebrates Graduating Class of 2022

Computer Literacy Centre Celebrates Graduating Class of 2022

The spring and summer season tend to bring many moments of celebrations and fun to YSM! This year is no different as our Computer Literacy Centre celebrated 58 graduating students, ranging in age from kindergarten to grade 11. Their special celebration was held in our YSM Davis Centre gymnasium, where […]

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Working Together for Stability & Security

Working Together for Stability & Security

Early this year, Rebecca* started her new job as a security guard at Paragon Security and since then has noticed her mood improving, “How I feel about myself is just more regulated. It feels less stressful now because I have a job that I don’t have to worry about changing […]

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Mentoring: Being a Catalyst for Change

Mentoring: Being a Catalyst for Change

“Two years ago, one of our YSM community members was facing a lot of struggles, especially related to employment,” shared Gerald, YSM’s Volunteer Coordinator and our mentorship program lead. “They were moving from one minimum wage job to another, and were about to be evicted from their home.” “During that […]

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Happy National Volunteer Week!

Happy National Volunteer Week!

April 24th – 30th 2022 is National Volunteer Week! Volunteers are such an integral part of YSM’s community – the impact of their commitment and contributions can be seen and felt across the organization. During our last fiscal year, 929 volunteers provided over 32,000 hours of their time to YSM! […]

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A Place to Call One’s Own

A Place to Call One’s Own

Stable housing is a foundational aspect in one’s journey out of poverty. A home provides not only refuge and shelter, but also a space for healing and empowerment – a place to call one’s own. Huda* first connected with YSM determined to find a secure sanctuary for herself and her […]

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