For Caleb*, coming to Wesley Youth Housing wasn’t just about having a roof over his head; it was about finally finding stability after years of uncertainty. He knew it was time for him to move forward in his life, but having to worry about where you’ll sleep next or when you will have something to eat really gets in the way of achieving life goals.
Since the age of 12, Caleb (now 19) has experienced ongoing housing insecurity after facing conflict at home. He moved between his family home, friends’ couches, and relatives’ houses, often unsure how long he would be able to stay in any one place. With so much going on, finishing high school was virtually impossible, and without the capacity to focus on school, Caleb found himself leaving before earning his diploma.
At times, he went for weeks without a stable place to call home, being on his own for up to three weeks at time. Like many young people in similar situations, he learned to be independent early, not because he wanted to, but because he had to.
By the time Caleb arrived at Youth Housing last spring, he had already spent years in survival mode. Even when he managed to earn his own money in the clothing resale business he started when he was 13, his energy was focused on immediate needs and he spent a lot of time feeling uncomfortable with the idea of overstaying his welcome when staying with friends. It’s hard to feel safe with so many unknowns.
Moving into youth housing changed that.
“As soon as I moved here, I was able to have a clearer mind,” Caleb shared. For the first time in a long time, he could focus on something beyond day-to-day survival.
Wesley Youth Housing is the only transitional housing program of its kind in the greater Hamilton area, supporting youth aged 16–21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as they finish school, find work, and build independent living skills. Up to 19 youth at a time can live in a supportive, two-stage housing model, starting with shared living and progressing to their own bachelor apartment, while receiving 24/7 staff support. Alongside housing, youth take part in life skills programming like cooking classes and finding a job and/or attending school. They also have access to mental health support and community-building activities.
With this newfound stability and support came new opportunities. The summer after he moved in, Caleb completed his high school diploma, a second chance he was able to meet with a clear mind and the ability to focus on his studies. Later that summer, Caleb began participating in a construction-based employment training program with Turkstra Lumber, a valued supporter of Wesley Youth Housing.
The Hamilton Youth in Construction Program is delivered in partnership with the Xperience Annex, a low-barrier City of Hamilton service that supports youth in setting goals, creating plans, obtaining things like identification cards if they do not already have them, connecting with the right community resources, and advocating for them as they navigate those systems. This initiative is part of the city’s broader Youth Strategy, including youth employment as a top priority.
In this program participants are supported at every step of the way. Turkstra Lumber provides a daily stipend, while the Xperience Annex covers transportation costs and essential personal protective equipment, including steel-toe boots.
In addition, youth receive ongoing life-skills support from Erin, the Xperience Annex’s System Navigator. Erin even accompanies participants on their first day, helping them practice the bus route and offering support as they meet a new employer, ensuring they begin the program feeling prepared and confident.
During his time at Turkstra, Caleb gained hands-on experience using tools, working with teams, and learning job-site expectations. His days started early – very early. Throughout the program he woke up around 4:30 a.m. to catch the bus in time for his 7:30 a.m. start, travelling more than an hour each way. Despite the long days, Caleb stayed committed during his time with the program because he understands the value of experience and the doors it can open.
“I remind myself I’m doing this for the future,” he said. “It’ll pay off.”
Throughout his journey, another resource that Caleb has been able to connect with is the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC). Wesley partners with the HRIC to run the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker (PYOW) Program to improve the health and well-being of young Aboriginal people in our community. For Caleb, the Indian Centre was able to help in other ways, including tuition for the next step of his journey, help with moving into his new home, and ongoing support moving forward.
In early September, Caleb began a college home renovation program in Oakville, his next concrete step toward long-term employment in a growing field. As part of the program, students work on an actual two-story house inside the college, which Caleb thought was pretty cool. They were able to practice and develop their skills in framing, drywall installation, and even electrical work.
In December, he graduated, excited for what lies ahead and proud of what he’s been able to accomplish so far in his 19 years.
Looking back, Caleb recognizes how much he’s grown. Years of instability made him resilient, resourceful, and mentally strong, and his time at Youth Housing helped him develop practical life skills, maturity, and mental resilience, particularly through learning to live alongside people with different personalities and building routines around work and school. “I had a little community right outside my door.” While he acknowledges that no young person should have to endure that kind of hardship, he’s proud of the person he’s become.
“I feel like I can get through anything,” he shared. “Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about my journey.” Even through difficult times, Caleb found a way to learn from them and apply those lessons in all aspects of his life.
Today, Caleb is focused on building a future, not just for himself, but as a role model for his younger siblings. He wants them to see what they can achieve someday too. He has clear employment and financial goals, including exploring warehouse and forklift work in the short term through the winter, continuing in construction and framing, and learning about investing.
When Caleb thinks back on 2025, he proudly says, “this year was kind of like my warm-up, 2026 is going to be successful” as he focuses on discipline, growth, and long-term financial stability. They plan to stay connected with peers from the program and emphasize how community, stability, and consistent support have positively impacted his mental health and readiness for independence.
Having recently moved into independent housing, Caleb has been feeling both excited and nervous, recognizing it as a major milestone after years of shared and supported housing. Having a stable place to return to has been critical in helping him feel grounded and confident. He’s incredibly grateful for the support he’s received.
Caleb’s story is a powerful reminder that homelessness can affect young people for years before they ever connect with support systems, and that with the right housing, guidance, and opportunities, those same young people can begin to thrive.
Youth housing doesn’t just provide a warm place to sleep. It provides breathing room. It creates space for learning, growth, and hope, and for young people like Caleb, it’s the foundation for a future they’ve worked incredibly hard to build.
*name and photo changed for privacy
