Prevention, early intervention critical
Changing Patterns for Street Involved Youth, released jointly by Yonge Street Mission, World Vision
"Many youth tell us they just want a home - they're highly motivated but they need help getting there," says
Among the study's most striking findings:
- Almost one in five youth have been on the street for less than three months and this period is the most effective time to help them return to housing. - Youth who stay on the street for two years are less likely to leave - making an intervention within the first two years key to resolving the problem. - Most youth who stay on the streets for as long as eight years end up trapped because it's all they know and it becomes part of their identity. - Immigrant street youth transition back into housing more rapidly. - Sweet 16 isn't so sweet for some: More youth (21%) end up on the street at 16 than at any other age, possibly because that's the age it becomes legal. - One in four youth leave home before the legal age. The younger they are, the more likely their stay on the street will last longer - seven years or more. - Almost a third of the street youth interviewed came from other provinces; 14.6% came from other parts of Ontario; only 22.7% were from the GTA. - Over 40% of street youth experience mental health issues but few are able to access mental health services.
For further information: media please contact: Trish Hennessy, (416) 525-4927
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