Aug 9, 2019A Tough NightIt was a particularly rough start to the night at Innercity Arts. One of the youth had arrived in distress, suffering from a mental...
Dec 3, 2018Larissa’s Journey: Teen YearsLarissa’s Journey is a blog series that we hope will offer insight and understanding into the lives of one of the young people in the...
Oct 13, 2017The Bob Series: Marginalized survivorsNote: To protect the identity of the people I write about, I have chosen to use the name ‘Bob’ in the following piece… All of the people...
Sep 21, 2017A Place of Third ChancesThat’s because this was his third time around. Having taken the next steps to go through an alcohol treatment program and transition into...
Aug 10, 2017Just a couple of Canadians (eh?), talking on the bus.It happened as I got on the bus & looked around for an empty spot. “There she is!” I heard someone say. It was Ted. He was sitting alone....
Feb 5, 2016The state of metal health services for homeless youthHere, let the National Learning Community on Youth Homelessness say it best: “Youth homelessness has existed in Canada for decades;...
Jul 10, 2015HaileyLast year, this video was put out by a shelter in New York City. You’ve probably seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6jSKLtmYdM In...
Apr 16, 2015Navigating the SystemsDana Youth Outreach Worker #Addictions #MentalHealth #StreetYouth #streetyouthoutreach
Apr 9, 2015Easter ReflectionsHe grew up on a native reserve, where the cruel history of the church was ever-present. For Allan, the church building was not a safe...
Dec 8, 2014Shane’s Story, Episode 3: On My OwnShane’s Story is a eight episode blog post where Shane tells her story in her own words. Each week in December, on Mondays and Thursdays...
Dec 4, 2014Shane’s Story, Episode 2: SchoolShane’s Story is an eight episode blog post where Shane tells her story in her own words. Each week in December, on Mondays and...
Dec 1, 2014Shane’s Story, Episode 1: Early LifeShane’s Story is an eight episode blog post where Shane tells her story in her own words. Each week in December, on Mondays and...
Jul 2, 2014The Light – P4Y PoetryThere is a new youth who has been coming to art group recently. I met him on outreach a few years ago and I discovered that from a young...
Mar 7, 2014Outgrowing and OvercomingMany street-engaged youth struggle with addictions. Below is a work of art by a P4Y artist. This artist has struggled with addiction for...
Sep 16, 2013Stories from the Street: Something in the SilenceSasha is a very quiet young woman, someone who has seen a lot of the darker parts of life. It is evident in her silence, and her eyes,...
Aug 15, 2013heARTfelt Thursdays: remembering KaylinOn December 21, 2012, Kaylin, a long time member of the art group, passed away suddenly. The art group was devastated to lose a member of...
Aug 8, 2013heARTfelt Thursdays: Sci-Fi Dragon Fly“Dragon Fly” or “Homesick”, Mixed Mediums: acrylic and ink on canvas. “A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because...
Jul 19, 2013Reality CheckI was walking home from work yesterday and had to take a second glance at one of the youth that was panhandling on the streets of Ottawa....
Dec 24, 2012Sasha’s Story: Final Episode, My Christmas WishSasha’s Story is an 8 part series running until December 24. To listen to the audio backgrounder from CHRI radio, click Episode #8 My...
Dec 19, 2012Sasha’s Story: Episode Seven, Hope for the FutureSasha’s Story is an 8 part series running until December 24. To listen to the audio backgrounder from CHRI radio, click Episode #7 Hope...