St. Leonard’s Community Support, Prevention, and Residential Services (SLCSPRS), a not-for-profit registered charity, has been serving vulnerable youth for over forty years in the community of Quinte West. St. Leonard’s has been watching the community face a growing need for housing to support individuals experiencing homelessness and crises. In recognizing this concern St. Leonard’s started researching the connection between the youth we service and the inability to find stable housing. This project aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for youth in need, offering a stepping stone toward stability and self-sufficiency.
St. Leonard’s Community Support, Prevention and Residential Services purchased the property know as 178 Lester Rd in Trenton as it was available and appropriately zoned for our project needs (Residential included group home).
We are currently seeking the additional zoning which would allow for Emergency housing to better support youth within our community.
We hope to provide:
Our new program will be fully staffed and licenced for care. Our facility will be designed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It will include a transitional home on the lower level with four bedrooms, and open concept living/dining room, large kitchen, a full bathroom, laundry, and storage. The upper floor will provide six individual bed spaces with a communal area, fully accessible washrooms, and storage.
Hastings County has approved funding for the purchase and renovation of our new property. Collaboration with government, other Not-For-Profit organizations as well as local businesses will be crucial for the success of our project. We require annualized funding in order to stabilize our youth. By providing a safe and structured place to live, we believe youth will gain confidence in their ability to focus on their path toward independence.
The renovations are underway and hoping for a completion date of early July 2024. This timeline will include funding outreach, site renovation, zoning clearance to add emergency housing, staff recruitment and training and facility set up.
Throughout this time, we will stay connected to the community to receive their feedback and be supportive of the community needs. We believe community support and involvement are vital. We are
happy to engage the community with our research, also a planned open house to allow the community to see how our SIL/YEH program will operate.
There is no doubt that our community has a housing crisis. The establishment of a Transitional Home with emergency beds is a critical step towards addressing and preventing youth from being lost in the cracks of the community. We know the youth of today will eventually take over our communities, town and cities and we need to do better by them for a healthier future for all. By fostering collaboration, garnering community support, and securing sustainable funding, we aim to create a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.
Thank you for taking the time to review our overview.
Kelly Nolan
CEO, St. Leonard’s CSRPS
