“When I first became homeless, it was devastating. I felt lost, confused, and I was angry at a system that I felt wasn’t designed for people like me to thrive in.”
Natasha moved out of her Nova Scotia family home at 16. She couch-surfed for a long time and lived with her sister for a while but says she always struggled to find a consistent housing situation of her own.
Natasha eventually moved to Renfrew County, and while managing serious mental health concerns, soon found herself living in a shelter. She was in crisis.
Thanks to support from United Way East Ontario, Columbus House Pembroke recently expanded its programming to assist more youth in crisis who have complex needs.
Natasha was one of the first people through this newly expanded program in 2025.
“When you’re coming in and you’re admitting that you can’t afford life anymore, it’s so important to have people there that are like, ‘It’s okay—we’ll catch you,’” says Natasha. “That’s what Columbus House did for me.”
Tina Belanger, Executive Director at Columbus House, says United Way’s support made it possible to hire more staff to manage an influx of referrals and add a counsellor to their services. The partnership also helped Columbus House reach deeper into the community—connecting them with the County of Renfrew, Renfrew County Youth Wellness Hub, local family services, and more.
It’s okay not to be okay
Tina says many homeless youths in Renfrew County require addiction or mental health support, and they’re usually living in situations that are not safe. To compound issues, a lack of public transportation in rural communities often means youth experiencing homelessness are forced to quit school, which makes it harder for them to get good jobs and gain financial independence.
Programming at Columbus House connects young people with the tools and resources they need to get ahead and gives them somewhere safe to stay while they recalibrate their lives.
“When I first stepped into this program, I didn’t have any self-confidence. I didn’t know what I could handle. The confidence I have in myself now—to stand up and advocate for myself—I feel like this place gave me a backbone. Of course, it’s also easier to be brave when you know you have a proper support network and a place where you can break down and not be okay.”
Tina explains that young people who are housed with them typically stay for three months; the first month to get settled and figure out what other supports they need, the second month to make referrals, and then the third month for follow through and to look at more long-term housing supports.
“Programs like these are what help pull our youth out of dark places,” says Natasha. “I’ve been able to step out of survival mode and plan for my future.”
Preventing youth homelessness
Many factors can drive a young person to leave home: they may have had a difficult family life or survived abuse. 2SLGBTQIA+ youth may experience discrimination for their sexuality or gender, and many young people in the child welfare system find themselves without support once they reach adulthood.
United Way East Ontario works with partners across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County and Renfrew County to get at the root of the issue and create long-term solutions that prevent and reduce youth homelessness. This not only shuts the door to chronic homelessness—it saves lives.
Safe, affordable housing is a human right. When we rally around the most vulnerable people in our communities, we make the quality of life better for everyone.
Your gift to United Way will help those facing homelessness build more stable lives. Together, let’s help young people reach their full potential.
