Supporting Youth At Risk of Homelessness: An Evaluation of Hamilton's Youth Reconnect Program

This report presents the results from the evaluation of the implementation and early development of the Good Shepherd Centre’s Youth Reconnect (YR) program in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The YR program is part of the Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (MtS DEMS) – a three-year project funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). MtS DEMS is focused on testing three prevention-based program models in 10 communities and 12 organizations in Alberta and Ontario in order to improve outcomes for young people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness in Canada, and their families. 

This report outlines:

  • Operations (core elements) of the YR program 
  • Youth feedback on receiving services in a YR program
  • How to adapt the program for different contexts
  • Recommendations for enhancing service delivery

Findings from this evaluation report will be useful for community leaders and researchers interested in the nuts and bolts of developing and adapting a YR program in Canada. 

This evaluation took place in 2019 and therefore does not reflect the context of delivering services during a pandemic.

From the Research Matters Blog

Keeping Youth Off the Streets: Lessons Learned from Good Shepherd Centre’s Youth Reconnect Program

Publication Date: 
2021
Publisher(s): 
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press
Location: 
Hamilton, ON, Canada