$552,000 Awarded from Trillium Foundation to Provide System Navigation for Homeless Youth
On June 19, local MPPs Andrew Dowie and Lisa Gretzky visited The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) to learn more about a transformative 3-year, $552,000 Grow Grant awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). This vital investment from the provincial government will fund and expand critical services that support youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in our community.
The funding will allow WRYM to build on the success of its System Navigation pilot project – an initiative that equips youth in crisis with the life skills and support needed to achieve housing stability and economic independence. Over the next three years, WRYM will broaden the reach of this program, helping even more young people navigate complex systems and overcome barriers to basic needs.
“Windsor-Essex is home to many incredible services, but for youth in crisis, simply finding and accessing those supports can feel overwhelming or impossible. When you’re facing homelessness, navigating complex eligibility rules, referral systems, waitlists, and transportation barriers can be a challenge that stops you before you even begin. This funding allows us to break down those barriers. We’re not just pointing young people in the right direction, we’re walking alongside them, ensuring they get the right help, from the right places, at the right time. Together, we’re helping hundreds of youth reclaim their futures” ─ Jason Weinberg, Executive Director, The Windsor Residence for Young Men
During the initial two-year pilot, WRYM supported over 50 homeless youth, with the majority securing long-term housing upon exiting the program. Now, with renewed and expanded funding, WRYM will continue offering intensive case management within its housing programs while extending these essential services to youth across the broader community, meeting them where they are and when they need it most.
The Windsor Residence for Young Men is helping youth overcome homelessness and build new lives by
providing Transitional Housing, Aftercare, and Outreach services for those at risk of or experiencing
homelessness between the ages 16-24 who identify as male. If you or anyone you know is in need of
assistance, you would like to donate or learn more, please see their website.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build
healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732
community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster
more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together
and connect, and create a more sustainable environment.
