Shelters, like long-term care homes, are at a higher risk for COVID-19 due to the number of people who are in the facility and the challenges of social distancing in such small spaces. Young peoples’ immune systems can often be impacted by their experience of homelessness for many reasons.
It’s critical that we take measures to keep our young people and staff safe. Now more than ever, it’s also important that we show our staff that we care about their health and appreciate them for continuing to show up for the young people who need them every day.
WHAT EVA’S IS DOING TO KEEP STAFF AND YOUTH SAFE
At Eva’s we provide shelter, transitional housing, and programming to help young people, who are aged 16-24 and experiencing homelessness, reach their full potential to lead productive, self-sufficient, healthy and inter-dependent lives. Over the course of a year approximately 948 residents find shelter at Eva’s and we house 123 young people every night.
WHO WAS EVA SMITH?
- Eva’s was founded in 1989 by Eva Smith under our original name, North York Emergency Home for Youth.
- Eva Smith was a Jamaican immigrant and Black community leader who worked to address the disparate experiences of Black children in Toronto’s education system.
- Through her work, Eva also shed light on hidden youth homelessness, showing decision-makers the scope of the problem and rallying supporters to do something about it.
- In 1994, one year after Eva’s death and five years after the founding of the organization, Eva’s Place, the first physical shelter for young people was established.
CURRENTLY, EVA’S INITIATIVES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH HAS THREE SITES
Eva’s Place – providing emergency shelter
Eva’s Satellite – providing harm reduction services
Eva’s Phoenix – providing emergency shelter and transitional housing for young people