Since 1987, Youth Haven Barrie has worked diligently towards providing homeless and abused youth between the ages of 16 and 21 with the love, support and life skills needed in order to foster our youth's sense of well-being and security. For over 20 years we have made an important impact on the lives of hundreds of teens a year offering them not only a safe place to stay, but the hope that comes from embracing a life full of possibilities and potential armed with the skills and support systems that we offer.

As Simcoe County's only youth shelter, Youth Haven provides a second chance to approximately 400 teens annually. Some people believe that many of these kids should simply go home, that they have a safe place awaiting them with a warm bed, or that they are rebelling against parental authority. However in our 20 years of experience we know that this misconception can not be further from the truth.

The plain truth is that if a youth is staying at Youth Haven, they truly have no one else to turn to. In fact most are fleeing domestic violence, neglect, or physical or sexual abuse. There have been many situations where police, parents, concerned people, teachers, guidance counselors, only to name a few, bring youth to us asking for our help, not knowing where to turn.

Youth Haven is more than a shelter. It is a home. As a safe haven for youth looking for guidance, for help and for love. Youth Haven strives to provide every youth with the physical, emotional, educational and vocational support needed helping them to embrace a brighter future.

In 2007 we celebrated our past, commemorating our 20 years of service with "One Enchanted Evening", our masquerade gala. As we push forward into 2008, we are looking towards the future, focusing on the development of new programs and initiatives which will not only benefit the volume of youth needing our services presently, but will provide hundreds more youth with shelter, support and life skills.
Thanks to the generosity of The Ontario Trillium Foundation, we will be able to see the success of our new programs grow and thrive along with each teen who uses our services. And as we see each of our teens embark on their life journey armed with the skills, support and most importantly love that they need, we know that we are doing our job to heal teen homelessness.