The Eva’s Eats cookbook was a collaborative project led by our food services coordinators, Leanne and Eugene, with young people and staff at our sites. The cookbook features recipes shared by young people and staff that are important to them, representing their diverse backgrounds and cultures. This project is an innovative example of how food can be used to build community and empower the young people we serve.

The cookbook is a collection of recipes to help young people gain confidence in the kitchen by learning life skills. These skills are essential as youth transition to independent living as they are learning how to build and stick with a budget, grocery shop, meal plan, and prepare meals.

The young people staying at our sites had the opportunity to be actively involved in the process, from submitting recipes and taste-testing dishes to designing the cover illustration and assisting with the production and printing at Eva’s Print Shop. This social enterprise enables young people to develop skills through hands-on training and experiences. Additionally, photography students at Humber College contributed by photographing all the recipes in the cookbook, creating a meaningful collaborative experience with the youth in our community.

Watch the video below to learn more about the ingredients that went into making the Eva’s Eats cookbook.

Be a key ingredient in Eva’s recipe for supporting youth transitioning from homelessness to independence. Become a monthly donor today, and your gift will be matched for one year by a generous donor. Learn more here: evas.ca/tm2023