Ontario Celebrates the Success of $64,000 Grant Helping Kennedy House Youth Services in Scarborough

July 24, 2025

50 Homeless Youth Across the GTA Now Have Stable Housing and Vital Supports — Thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant

MPP Cho at Kennedy House Youth Services’ recent BBQ, celebrating the success of their Housing First initiative, made possible of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Seed Grant.

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, MPP Raymond Cho was at the Kennedy House Youth Services’ annual BBQ in Scarborough and while there, the MPP formally congratulated the group on the work it’s done thanks to receiving a $64,000 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation. The grant, awarded in the summer of 2024, has been used by Kennedy House to provide stable housing for up to 50 homeless youth between 16-24 years of age by adopting a new Housing First model.

“Kennedy House Youth Services has long been a cornerstone of support for vulnerable youth in Scarborough. Their dedication to providing safe, stable, and caring environments is transforming lives and helping young people reach their full potential,” said Dr. Raymond Cho, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough North. “Through this investment from last fall, they have strengthened their ability to provide safe, stable, and caring environments — and have already made a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. I’m proud to support the incredible work Kennedy House has done and continues to do for our community.”

Kennedy House received a $64,000 OTF grant to help with the implementation of a Housing First model with trauma-informed care at the Kennedy House Shelter in East York. This investment will enhance the organization’s ability to provide rapid access to housing while supporting youth with complex needs through tailored, compassionate care. Funds from the grant were used to help with some staffing costs for a Housing Program manager and other staff, as well as training kits and hosting training sessions for staff, purchasing a laptop and helping with some administration costs too.

The past year marked a major turning point in Kennedy House’s programming. The organization expanded its trauma-informed practices, introduced housing-focused supports for youth and strengthened its community partnerships to improve long-term outcomes for young people facing housing insecurity. With the support of this OTF grant, Kennedy House will be able to train staff, deepen its diversion programming, and help youth transition into stable housing more quickly and successfully.

“This funding helps us do more than keep youth safe in a crisis—it helps us get them into housing and supports that last,” said Shelly Jaigobin, Executive Director of Kennedy House Youth Services. “We’re grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and MPP Cho for believing in the work we do and the youth we serve.”

In 2024 alone, Kennedy House’s emergency shelter supported hundreds of youth through trauma-informed case management, safety planning, and wraparound supports. The organization has reduced average shelter stays and increased housing placements by focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions instead of short-term shelter stays alone. Kennedy House Youth Services extends heartfelt thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and all partners, funders, staff, and community members who continue to support its mission to end youth homelessness and build brighter futures for young people across the Greater Toronto Area.

About The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF): 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 $105 million into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships across Ontario. These projects support economic well-being, foster inclusive environments, provide spaces for community connection, and improve quality of life for people of all ages. Learn more at otf.ca