The Refuge, based in Oshawa, Ontario, works with youth who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness, live at street-level or who are struggling. More than just a place to find breakfast lunch and dinner, The Refuge also offers showers, laundry facilities, access to clothing and personal hygiene products and assistance with housing. In short, The Refuge is a place where youth can find community, safety, belonging and a renewed hope for their future.
The Refuge began in 1999, and today it serves approximately 500 youths annually and interacts with youth close to 10,000 times each year. The Refuge seeks to restore youth’s belief that they have the gift, ability and capacity to make positive decisions and to change the world around them. It offers a wide variety of programs — from food, basic needs and housing to life change and education, but at the heart of each program is to have youth experience love, nuturing, encouragement, safety and belonging — to be a part of a family and community that will help them overcome their past and move towards a successful future.
How can you become involved?
The Refuge happily accepts donations — monetary or material — and is always seeking volunteers to assist with programming and running their special events, especially around the holidays like Christmas.
With the colder weather upon us, a pandemic restricting resources and a new year approaching that could bring with it hope and opportunity, our youth need us more than ever. Learn more about The Refuge, how it’s assisting and what you can do to help here.
