Founded in 1990, Choices for Youth (CFY) helps young people in St. John’s, Newfoundland secure stable housing, employment, and education while improving their health and family stability. By working with youth, the charity hopes to prevent long-term homelessness and poverty in adulthood. CFY takes a "housing first" approach, first finding people a stable place to live and then helping them with employment, family relationships, and other needs. In Canada, there are approximately 65,000 homeless youths, and in St. John's, 23% of the total homeless population is 16-24 years old.

To work towards breaking the cycles of poverty and homelessness, CFY runs four main programs: Housing Programs and Services; Social Enterprises and Youth Employment; Outreach and Youth Engagements; and Family Programs and Services. CFY reported helping a total of 1,149 youths in F2020 (down from 1,623 in F2019).

Housing Programs and Services: This program was 40% of annual program spending in F2020. CFY has three homeless shelters that offer emergent shelter for males and gender non-conforming individuals (Choices Shelter) and longer-term housing options for youth in need (The Lilly and RallyForward). In F2020, CFY supported 157 youths through the Choices Shelter. It also housed 26 youths at The Lilly and 45 at RallyForward. Across all shelters, it provided 2,808 nights off the streets for adolescents.

Social Enterprises and Youth Employment: This program represented 35% of program expenditure in F2020. Its goal is to help youth find employment or further their education. CFY runs three social enterprises that generate revenue while providing its clients job opportunities, including Impact Construction, Neighbourhood (a gently used clothing store) and The Shop (a manufacturing and shipping service). In F2020, this program supported 94 youths, 57 of whom were employed at the enterprises. 

Outreach and Youth Engagements: Choices for Youth spent 13% on this program in F2020. Through its Outreach and Youth Engagement Centre, CFY offers youth hot meals, mental and physical health support, and recreational programs. In F2020, the charity had 624 engagements with its medical team, served 21,424 meals, and trained 77 individuals on Naloxone usage.

Family Programs and Services: This program was 8% of spending. Its goal is to connect and stabilize families to create healthy homes. In F2020, CFY supported 76 moms and 123 children through this program.

The remaining 4% of program expenditure went to Other Programs in F2020. 

Choices for Youth received $549k in donations in F2020. CFY also received $6.4m in government funding, representing 82% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 17% of revenues (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 55% of donations. For every dollar donated, 29 cents go to the cause. This is outside of Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Choices for Youth has $291k in gross funding reserves and $219k in interest-bearing debts. The charity could cover less than one month of program costs using net funding reserves.

This charity profile is an update that has been sent to Choices for Youth for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on July 28, 2021 by Rachel Leteta.