Second Base Youth Shelter is a 24/7 drop-in center and shelter that has served homeless youth ages 16-21 for 19 years. It provides counseling, job training, food, clothing, and housing support. The shelter aims to help at-risk youth reach their full potential and integrate into society. It is funded by various sponsors and organizations and includes an on-site classroom to help youth continue their education.

1. Second base
youth shelter
Serving youth for 19 years

2. Examine Your Attitude
 Do you feel that teenagers are irresponsible and
should not be trusted?
 Do you feel threatened when a group of teenagers
are walking behind you at night?
 If you see a homeless teenager on the street asking
for money, do you assume they will use the money to
buy drugs or alcohol?
 Do you feel teenagers should not complain about life
because they do not have the same responsibilities
as adults and therefore, their feelings should not be
taken as seriously?
 Do you think teenagers who are kicked out of or who
run away from home are rebellious and careless?

3. Facts
 The ratio of males to females is
approximately 2:1.
 Approximately 15% of street youth
reported their families had been
homeless.
 In 2003, more than 35% of street youth
reported they had dropped out of school
or had been expelled from school
permanently.

4.  More than one-half of street youth
reported emotional abuse or neglect.
 Street youth are a sexually active
population, with more that 95% reporting
previous engagement in sexual activities.
 Conflict with parents was the principal
reason most street youth reported for
leaving home

5. Second base is here to help

7. Second Base is a shelter and drop-
in centre for youth ages 16-21,
which has been running since 1993.
It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year.

8. Introduction to Second Base
The youth are a fundamental asset to society as
they are the future of tomorrow. The youth are faced
with barriers at times that do not allow them to reach
their full potential, and therefore, need a guiding
hand into the right direction. Some youth are forced
out of their home at an early age, or are one pay
check from being homeless and need a place to be
safe, warm, and welcomed. Second Base welcomes
youth from all walks of life regardless of your race,
cultural background, gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity, religion, economic situation,
disability, personal health political beliefs or
legal standing.

9. As soon as you walk in, there
are powerful and moving
words above you

10. Sponsors
 The United Way Greater Toronto
 Paloma Foundation
 The Scott Foundation
 Canadian Auto Workers
 Ontario Trillium Foundation
 CIBC
 The Brick Gold Foundation
 Progress Church Of God

12. What Is Provided
 The Drop-In Program provides counseling, TTC
tickets, pre-employment and employment
services, access to job training, access to
food and emergency clothing, as well as
laundry and shower facilities.
 The Housing Access and Support Program
helps youth to find long term housing and
how to sustain them. Also provides workshops
and programs Designed to help the youth
integrate into society.

13. Getting Ahead
ONSITE PUBLIC LEARNING FACILITY
 Receive one-on-one tutoring from
community based tutors as well as fully-
subsidized high school diploma, G.E.D.
prep-test classes and International
Learning Centre (ILC) high school classes.
Kitchen training provided as well.

14. Second Base Classroom

17. How did we feel about this
experience?
 We have a better understanding of the homeless
youth in Canada and how this particular shelter
can help.
 We felt welcomed into the centre, it was a
pleasant atmosphere .
 We felt that the staff were very protective of the
members, and really wanted to protect their
privacy
 We really liked the 24 hour milk dispenser and
found it sad to know that they are one of the only
shelters who provide this.
 We learned that there is hope and we can all
work to better the lives of the Youth, our future.

19. Our Appreciation Gifts
 Our first basket is full of feminine products
such as shampoo, conditioner, cotton
pads, wipes, soap, shaving razors, mouse,
and brand new makeup.
 Our second basket included canned
food such as beans, tuna, ham and soups
 Our third gift of appreciation was a
candle holder with chocolates and a
personal Thank You letter from our group

22. How Can You Help?
 Raise funds
 Volunteer
 Support businesses that support youth
 Text REGEN to 30333 to donate $5.00 to
help stop homelessness
 Raise awareness!