Annual Report 2010 - Resource Assistance for Youth

Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation
Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) has been selected as one of Canada’s most innovative organizations for
homeless youth by Eva’s Initiatives, an organization that works with homeless and at-risk youth aged 16 to 24 to get
them off the streets permanently.
The Eva’s Initiatives Awards for Innovation are sponsored by CIBC and given out annually to recognize outstanding
work with homeless youth. RaY was selected for its RaY Emergency Shelter and Transition (REST) program which
aims to provide homeless and at-risk youth with alternatives to the emergency shelter system while supporting their
transition to safe and affordable long-term housing. This includes building bridges between street-involved youth
and both public and private sector landlords.
“Two critical issues facing homeless youth are the need for prevention work and the lack of affordable housing opportunities
for youth in many cities,” comments Rachel Gray, Eva’s Director of National Initiatives. “The success of
innovative programs like REST is in creating effective and mutually benefitting partnerships between youth, and
public and private landlords that create long-term relationships and lasting social change.”
“Many small steps in the right direction have added up to a small triumph in making more housing available to those
who need it most,” said Kelly Holmes, Executive Director, RaY. “This success is an example of what can happen
when a number of sectors work together to get youth off the street and assist them in working towards a better life.
To receive this award is a great honor for RaY, and also a reminder of the importance of developing a comprehensive
national housing strategy aimed at meeting the needs of our marginalized youth.”
The Government of Manitoba is also involved in this project, and has committed 4 units within a Manitoba Housing
complex to provide youth with transitional housing. This housing offers an alternative to existing emergency shelters
for youth who are escaping abusive situations, have “aged out” of the child welfare system, are waiting for
treatment, and/or who require short-term supported accommodation before they commit to a long-term living arrangement.
“Congratulations to RaY! This national award recognizes what we in Manitoba already know; that RaY is a leader
in working with our most vulnerable citizens, and helping them reach their potential,” said Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister
of Housing and Community Development. “I’m particularly proud of RaY’s partnering work to both help youth integrate
into community, and, conversely, build a network of support around each youth. The old adage, ‘It takes a
community to raise a child,’ really hits home when we see how successful people can be when they have simple
access to a network of resources and support.”
Nationally, Eva’s Initiatives works to build innovative and long-term solutions to youth homelessness. The Eva’s
Initiative Innovation Awards program is in its sixth year of recognizing the work of organizations across Canada to
help homeless youth become self-sufficient. Since 2006, Eva’s Initiatives has honoured 18 organizations for their
work with homeless and at-risk youth. A six member panel, knowledgeable about services for homeless youth,
reviews all applications and selects three winners from among the many applicants with impressive and innovative
projects underway in communities across the country.