Youth Services Bureau (YSB) is one of our featured charities for HOPE Volleyball SummerFest 2025.
At a glance
- Youth Services Bureau was founded in 1960 and supports thousands of young people every year.
- They adopt a housing first policy and run the only two dedicated youth shelters in Ottawa, plus four long-term housing buildings.
- Their staff is made up of 375 professionals across 21 locations in Ottawa.
Everyone deserves access to safe and affirming housing — especially youth. They shouldn’t be worried about heavy things like if they have a place to sleep or if their basic needs are met. They deserve to be kids with worries that are in their age bracket, like WHEN is that pop quiz coming?
Luckily, Youth Services Bureau is here to save the day. As the largest non-profit agency supporting youth in Ottawa, they are breaking the cycle of homelessness for many youth and connecting them with all the support they need to thrive. They have been making a difference in the lives of thousands of youth every year for the past 65 years.
YSB knows that access to safe housing is life changing. If left unchecked, lack of secure housing will have a detrimental impact on someone's mental and even physical health. Additional supports should be built on top of that steady foundation or any changes will likely be a band aid solution. Youth Services Bureau are champions at addressing housing insecurity among youth. They operate the only two dedicated youth shelters in Ottawa, a transitional housing program, and have four long-term housing buildings.
Their work expands far beyond housing support. Youth Services Bureau also supports at-risk youth with mental health and wellness, employment programs, youth justice initiatives, and LGBTQ2S+ support. With a robust team of 375 caring professionals across 21 locations in Ottawa, they are able to positively impact young people all across Ottawa. They have a number of discrete locations for anyone who needs to keep the support they are accessing on the down low. Their priority is being a safe space for youth.
Everything changes when you house youth. Youth Services Bureau helps at-risk youth become resilient adults by providing life-giving housing, support systems, and coping skills. They also teach life skills in their shelters with workshops on cooking, budgeting, sexual health, and wellness activities. Support them in this year's HOPE Volleyball SummerFest so they can continue transforming the lives of young people in Ottawa.
