Covenant House Toronto Youth and Staff Help Clean Up the Street
Toronto, ON (PRWEB) April 30, 2014 -- O’Keefe Lane was recently spruced up by staff members and youth from the homeless youth agency Covenant House Toronto who joined several other downtown business community members in the initiative.
O’Keefe Lane is located close to the agency. The Downtown Yonge BIA has long-term plans to beautify the alleyway and transform it into a pedestrian promenade.
“It’s a wonderful way for our youth to learn more about good citizenship and leadership in our community,” says Erin Boudreau, Associate Manager, Communications at Covenant House Toronto. “We’re taking part to show our support for the vital work that the Downtown Yonge BIA does for this neighbourhood.”
Over the past 30 years, several Downtown Yonge BIA member businesses have hired youth staying in the crisis shelter and longer-term residence at Covenant House. By giving homeless youth a chance, the businesses have demonstrated their commitment to improving the community.
The lane clean-up was sponsored by the Downtown Yonge BIA as part of a larger Clean Toronto Together program facilitated by the City. The program aims to keep Toronto’s reputation as safe, respectful, clean and green. Events around the city were scheduled throughout Earth Week.
As the country’s largest homeless youth agency, Covenant House provides 24/7 crisis shelter along with comprehensive services, including education, counselling, and employment assistance to some 3,000 youth annually. To do all this, the agency relies on donors for 80 percent of its $20-million annual operating budget.
Rose Cino, Covenant House Toronto, http://www.covenanthousetoronto.ca, +1 (416) 204-7081, [email protected]
Share this article