The wait appears to be finally over for Barrie’s Youth Haven.
Demolition of its old Wellington Street facility is set to begin next week, Oct. 30, with move-in day for the new building on the same property next spring, it was announced Tuesday.
“We’re building what will become a new beginning for Youth Haven. It’s time to look to the future,” said Lucy Gowers, Youth Haven’s executive director. “Our new shelter is not just a building, it’s a lifeline. We are providing hope — clean, bright, positive space. It will help our youth thrive, instead of merely survive. By investing in our youth, we are investing in our future.”
Youth Haven provides vital services that assist youth, ages 16 to 24, who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless in Barrie and the surrounding area. It meets the immediate needs of local youth, to provide them with shelter, food and care packages. More than 600 youth in the region rely on support the organization provides.
Kyle was 18 when he left home in 2022, leaving a family he says didn’t see his potential, and finding his way to Youth Haven, where he found mental health supports, job opportunities and a path to long-term housing.
“I was not sure who I was. Without the support of Youth Haven, I would not be able to live on my own,” said Kyle, who spoke at Tuesday’s announcement. “But for me, the biggest thing Youth Haven has done is given me a safe place to live, as I try to learn more about myself and where to go from where I am right now.”
But the need for Youth Haven’s services has grown. It has operated a 19-bed emergency shelter, providing transitional housing at a separate location, along with outreach services. Once the Wellington Street shelter is demolished, it will be replaced with a new facility which will house approximately 31 beds.
The new facility will also have a medical office, counselling spaces, a study area, laundry facilities, a large kitchen and outdoor recreational spaces.
“I think we as a society should help those who fall between the cracks,” said James Bazely, first vice-president of Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association, which is building the new Youth Haven facility.
Steve Potter, who lives on Wellington right beside Youth Haven, voiced concerns Tuesday about security at the property, which is fenced.
“While the building is vacant, transients are coming in, it’s not secured properly and I would think those who are staying there are those that aren’t eligible to be staying in some of the other facilities (shelters),” he said. “It’s an element that hypothetically could cause some issues with fires, that type of thing.
“But Youth Haven has a spot in our community and I think it’s a good thing that kids have a place to go and be safe,” he said.
Gowers said she has spoken to Barrie city police about neighbours’ security concerns at the Wellington street property.
Demolition of the Wellington Street property is scheduled to begin in a week, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, although the construction schedule itself remains uncertain and weather will play a factor as fall becomes winter. But move-in day for the new Youth Haven facility remains the spring of 2025.
The New Haven for Youth Haven campaign has raised $650,000 of its $1-million goal for the new facility.
The Kiwanis Club of Barrie has donated $100,000 to the campaign, and another $10,000 is coming from the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada.
There will also be in-kind gifts from the Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association.
To donate to Youth Haven, visit: newhavenbarrie.ca .
Gowers noted that Youth Haven has moved its services to an unspecified local hotel to continue helping youths, and that those in need of shelter can call 705-739-7616.
