On August 15 and 16, 2024, over 70 volunteers from The Home Depot Canada gathered at Eva’s Place to breathe new life into the 30-year-old emergency shelter. With dedication and energy, they transformed the space where countless youth have found support and safety over the years. This Community Build marks the latest milestone in a 17-year partnership between Eva’s and The Home Depot Canada Foundation, bringing much-needed improvements to the well-loved facility. 

The volunteers who participated included associates from The Home Depot Canada and vendor partners who travelled from across the GTA and as far as New Brunswick, Georgia, and Ohio. Their two days of hard work focused on revitalizing key areas of Eva’s Place, from fresh paint and new flooring to updated common spaces, updated washers and dryers, and a newly furnished kitchen area. Outside, they created a beautiful garden and refreshed the basketball court, ensuring the space is comfortable, welcoming, and functional for the youth who call Eva’s Place home. 

The Community Build is a significant initiative for The Home Depot Canada Foundation, and this year, they chose to dedicate their efforts to Eva’s Place. “This has been a partnership that’s been going on for a number of years, and it’s growing,” said Mike Rowe, President of The Home Depot Canada. “Eva’s gives youth hope and joy, and we are so grateful to the amazing team here for their support of youth experiencing homelessness.” 

Helder Costa, Senior Site Manager at Eva’s Place, echoed this sentiment: “The young people and staff at Eva’s have been so excited to see this amazing transformation. Thank you for helping create brighter futures for young people experiencing homelessness. The Home Depot is a place where you go to build something special, and together, we’re building something truly meaningful here.”