St. Leonard’s is preparing to offer a Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Youth Emergency Housing (YEH) program come spring 2025. We are committed to a model of transitional aged youth care that is different in the way that it will address youths’ needs on a deeper level – looking at the whole person, with an emphasis on interdependence rather than independence. The SIL program will not enforce time limits on development into adulthood and will ensure there are many pathways to a healthy, stable adulthood, that participants may pursue at a time that aligns with their readiness. We are working diligently to create the safest, most ideal location for the SIL/YEH program to call home and are steadfast in our mission to serve Hastings County’s youth.
Program Details
St. Leonard’s SIL program will provide voluntary transitional housing and emergency housing services to youth who are without safe, alternative accommodations. SIL will not only be a safe place to call home but will work with youth to build meaningful and lasting connections that are, to the fullest extent possible, community based and part of secure partnerships. Programming offered in the home, and throughout the surrounding communities, will focus on empowering youth to reach their fullest potential, with an emphasis on equitable access to education, healthcare, spiritual and emotional support, as well as collaborative, affordable housing.
Youth accessing emergency housing will be provided with nutritious meals, comfortable sleeping accommodations, storage for belongings, laundering services, urgent transportation, and support navigating services in their chosen community.
Program Goals
The SIL/YEH program aims to provide youth with an empowering and inclusive environment. St. Leonard’s recognizes that to reach their fullest potential, youth need permanence and on-going support. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Securing community-based partnerships that provide the best range of sustainable services, resources and opportunities for youth.
- Facilitating equitable access to education and health care.
- Offering reintegration services, to ease SIL/YEH participants into supportive and/or independent affordable housing in their chosen communities.
- Supporting youth to connect with natural supports, that are healthy and sustainable.
- Providing opportunities for recreation and socialization, and transportation.
- Prioritizing flexibility and individuality with unique care plans.
- Engaging residents in safety planning, job readiness and life-skill development programming.
- Welcoming youth home.
St. Leonard’s SIL/YEH is intended to be a place of growth and healing that bridges the gap between societal care and/or homelessness and interdependence, for youth in Hastings County. Our programming is available only to youth ages 15-24 who are without safe, supportive, alternate living accommodations.
All SIL/YEH transitional services are voluntary, as youth must be willing to engage with service providers and be an active participant in their successful transition into a healthy, sustainable adulthood.
Referrals to St. Leonard’s SIL program can be made by existing social service providers/organizations and police services throughout Hastings County. St. Leonard’s asks that referring agents be prepared to offer ongoing support in all cases possible or, at a minimum, be a helpful participant throughout the assessment and potential intake process, to ensure the program is suitable for the individual being referred.
For privacy and safety purposes, St. Leonard’s kindly asks that youth are not encouraged to arrive at SIL/YEH prior to an over the phone assessment. SIL/YEH is not a drop-in service
