Uturn: Youth Transitional Home

Uturn exists to support homeless youth so they are not involuntarily on the street. We receive self-referred young people who are without shelter, or are continuously forced to change living circumstance as their ‘couch surfing’ often leaves youth in a state of flux. Our design is to provide youth living without shelter, living in temporary shelter, in places unfit for human habitation, or moving continually between temporary living arrangements (couch surfing) with the programs, opportunities and personal investment needed to break the cycles of homelessness and social dependency.

Uturn is a place where young people overcome behavioral challenges, gain or regain their dignity, and learn to become productive members of society. The project believes in the value, dignity and potential of ‘youth with promise’ (marginalized youth). It is a place where love, respect, and tolerance co-exist with responsibility, discipline and learning. Uturn homes provide shelter combined with other support and developmental services including counseling and job-readiness. It is a semi-independent, or supportive living situation, for youth to learn the skills required for the next level of independence.

Through Uturn-1 youth aged 16-19 are provided a stable living environment while being supported for employability development and independent living. Youth experience independent living skills by completing and abiding by tenancy agreements, being responsible for their own room and belongings, caring for facility and household chores, planning and preparing a portion of their own meals, developing personal responsibilities and freedoms, while undertaking other individual development activities.

In Uturn-1 we propose a home with youth living on the top floor, with live-in House Parents residing on the main floor and an affordable suite in the basement. The youth area has a shared washroom, with a shared commons room and kitchenette on the main floor.