City of Toronto and Eva's take aim at youth homelessness

Multi-million dollar facility opens to address youth homelessness and unemployment

What:	Grand Opening of the New Eva's Phoenix
When:	Wednesday, September 28, 2016, 4:30-6:30 PM
Where:	60 Brant Street, Toronto
Who:	City of Toronto Mayor John Tory

TORONTO, Sept. 21, 2016 /CNW/ - On September 28, Mayor John Tory joins Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth to official opening of the new Eva's Phoenix in downtown Toronto, a transitional housing and training facility for homeless youth. Eva's Phoenix provides townhouse-style housing to 50 youth every night as well as employment and financial training, educational support, and independent living programs to over 150 youth each year.

Youth homelessness continues to be a major concern. There are at least 10,000 homeless youth in Toronto during the year and as many as 2,000 on any given night. "Our first and foremost responsibility is to invest in people," said Mayor Tory at the 2015 Eva's Phoenix campaign launch.

The Home Depot Canada Foundation is Lead Building Partner for this facility, located on the historical site of Toronto's St. Andrew's Market. It is also home to Eva's Phoenix Print Shop, a full-service social enterprise printer that provides digital/graphic communication and print services training for homeless youth.

"The new Eva's Phoenix is the result of hundreds of community leaders, donors, and supporters coming together with Eva's and the City to do something about youth homelessness," says J. Lorne Braithwaite, former CEO of Build Toronto and current Chair of Eva's Phoenix capital campaign. "It's an achievement for social impact."

Eva's Phoenix has given hope to youth experiencing homeless since the original facility opened in 2000. In the words of one current resident, "Eva's Phoenix has reintroduced me into a life I thought was lost forever and I will be able to enter the future with a bright smile on my face." The launch of the new 60 Brant Street site marks a renewal of efforts to reduce youth homelessness in Toronto.

The goal for Eva's Phoenix Capital Campaign is $11.6 million dollars, and $1.4 million dollars remains to be raised. To make a donation toward the campaign, visit www.evas.ca.

About: Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth is an award-winning organization that provides shelter, transitional housing, and programming to help homeless and at-risk youth reach their potential to lead productive, self-sufficient, and healthy lives. 123 youth aged 16 to 24 find safe shelter and support in our facilities every night. Eva's gives youth the tools to transition out of homelessness permanently.

SOURCE Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth

Image with caption: "Main Street of the New Eva’s Phoenix transitional residence and employment training facility for homeless youth, in the heart of downtown Toronto. (CNW Group/Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160920_C6904_PHOTO_EN_778504.jpg

Andrea Gunraj, Director, Marketing and Communications, Eva's, Email [email protected] | Phone [phone] x141 | Website www.evas.ca