The Youth Services Bureau (YSB) is a story of people coming together – of a community that cares and an organization that has grown and adapted to meet the changing needs of youth and their families.
Celebrating 65 years in the community this year, YSB is one of the largest and longest serving youth agencies in Ottawa, serving more than 3,000 youth each month in support of their wellbeing. With services offered in both English and French, YSB offers a range of free youth mental health services, operates two emergency youth shelters and four apartment buildings, provides employment support to youth and adults, and supports youth in conflict with the law.
Central to YSB’s work is ensuring youth voices advise on their work, allowing the organization to innovate and adapt to serving the needs of young people. YSB staff – a group of more than 425 full and part-time professionals working from 22 locations – live the ethos of supporting youth without judgement and regardless of where they live, what they look like, or whom they love. They serve youth in all their diversity across cultures, identities, and lived experiences.
“YSB’s work is meaningful when young people get the support they need, right when they need it most,” says YSB’s CEO Nina Gorka. “It’s about helping youth in the community learn life skills, find safe shelter, secure jobs, return to school, choose healthier paths, and feel hopeful about their future and their place in the world.”
Reaching out before something becomes a crisis
When things are hard for a young person, it shouldn’t be hard to get help. For that, YSB’s mental health crisis phone and chat services provide immediately support. A crisis is whatever feels like one to the person experiencing it, and reaching out before things feel overwhelming is always best.
At YSB’s third annual RISE & THRIVE fundraising breakfast held recently, former youth mental health client Dex said, “YSB staff supported me and reminded me of the dreams I once had for myself.” They added, “I’m so excited to be starting college in January and in an area of study that I hope will allow me to return to YSB as a team member!”
None of YSB’s work happens without its donors, partners, fellow agencies, and caring community.
Reflecting on 65 years of service, YSB Foundation Executive Director Patti Murphy says, “We celebrate both the youth and families we’ve supported, and the community that has worked alongside us every step of the way.” She adds, “As with most businesses, our work doesn’t happen without partnerships.”
Support from caring community members and corporate partners is more than life changing, it’s often life saving. Every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Ottawa’s Young People. Their Future Is Everybody’s Business.
Among its funding priorities to support youth accessing shelters and housing, as well as employment and justice support, the YSB Foundation is focused on ensuring young people can access YSB’s 24/7 Crisis Phone Line & 24/7 Crisis Chat Service, its two Youth Mental Health Walk-In Clinics, mobile crisis support and specialized programs.
For a coffee chat on how you and your workplace can engage in supporting YSB’s work with youth – through an event or customized workplace campaign – connect with Patti Murphy, Executive Director, YSB Foundation at pmurphy@ysb.ca.
