Our Programs

Y.E.S. offers a number of programs and services to support youth and families. Many of our programs are offered in partnership with other community agencies.

Emergency Shelter

The Y.E.S. shelter facility at 196 Brock St. offers temporary housing to youth 16-24 and to families. The shelter has a total of 30 beds, 15 of which are in a separated section for family groups. The building also includes a dining area with fully equipped kitchen, a common room for leisure time or meetings, as well as administrative offices and storage. The shelter is open and staffed 24 hours a day. Tours of the shelter can be arranged by contacting executive director Walter Johnstone at 705-748-3851 or .

Transitional Housing

Learning to live independently is often the next step for youth who make use of our emergency shelter. Abbott House, our second stage housing facility, provides a supervised setting for up to 12 young people taking their first run at independent living. Residents pay rent and are expected to contribute to household management, but can also access support and assistance from Y.E.S. staff. Abbott House residents may stay for as long as a year, giving them a chance to learn the ropes of independent living before they try it on their own.

Transitional Life Skills Program

Basic life skills, like opening a bank account, fixing a leaky toilet, or managing unruly friends, are critical to successful independent living. Our transitional life skills program provides youth moving into independent living with training and support in acquiring those skills. The program includes a six-week intensive training program and then a full year of weekly one-to-one support. Y.E.S. currently provides transitional life skills training to clients from the Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Aid Society, Peterborough Youth Services, the P.R.H.C. Family and Youth Clinic, and the City of Peterborough. For more information about the Transitional Life Skills Program, contact coordinator Stacey Langman at 705-748-3851 or .

Employment Skills Training Programs

Y.E.S. regularly offers specialized employment and skills training programs for youth. Past programs include a construction program offered at our workshop, a food and nutrition program offered in the shelter kitchen, and the Skills Acquired for Employment (S.A.F.E.) program, offered in partnership with the John Howard Society and Employment Planning and Counseling. To find out about current programs, contact executive director Walter Johnstone at 705-748-3851 or .

Food Cupboard

In cooperation with Kawartha Food Share, Y.E.S. provides an emergency food cupboard for youth, families and others in the community. Individuals can receive a week’s worth of food once per month. The food cupboard is open daily.

Recreational Programs

Y.E.S. staff and volunteers supervise recreational activities for shelter residents and clients of other community agencies, including visits to Rock and Rope, the Y.M.C.A., Devil’s Elbow Ski Area and more. The shelter also offers extended recreational programs during the summer and over March Break.

Workshops

Y.E.S. hosts workshops on a variety of topics, including finding housing, healthy nutrition, sexual health, and more.