Old Strathcona Youth Society creates a safer path for Edmonton youth

Funding provided through Red Road Healing Society under Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

For many youth in Old Strathcona, knowing where to turn for help can be a challenge. Housing feels uncertain. Basic needs shift from day to day. The systems meant to offer support can feel too distant. In the middle of this, the Old Strathcona Youth Society (OSYS) has become a place where young people know they will be heard. Since 1998, the organization has built trust with youth ages 14 to 24 by offering a space that feels safe, calm, and predictable at moments when life feels anything but.

Supporting youth, daily

Youth often arrive looking for practical help that can change the course of a day. Replacing lost ID documents, accessing basic items, finding mental health support, or exploring housing options are some of the most common needs. Many of the young people who seek support identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. OSYS integrates cultural connections into its programming and links youth with culturally informed services. This aligns with the Red Road Healing Society's vision, supported by Reaching Home's Indigenous Homelessness funding stream. This focus helps youth strengthen identity, build confidence, and feel anchored in community. Every program meets a specific need of the youth who use the space.

A new home that secures their future

As demand for youth services continued to grow in recent years, OSYS operated within a space that no longer supported its programming needs. The organization needed a permanent home that could offer stability and allow services to continue without disruption. Federal funding provided the resources needed to purchase a new building and ensure long-term continuity for the youth who rely on OSYS.

Stability that changes what is possible

With this new home, OSYS can welcome youth into a space built for safety, connection, and consistency. The organization can continue offering purposeful supports while building programs that respond to emerging needs. The building represents a foundation where youth can develop routines, access help without hesitation, and experience a sense of stability that influences every part of their lives.

OSYS remains a trusted place for young people in Edmonton. Through strong community partnerships and sustained federal support, the organization is strengthening pathways toward stability, dignity, and long-term possibility.

Quick facts

• Launched in 2019, Reaching Home is a community-based federal program that focuses on preventing and reducing homelessness by supporting local priorities across Canada through six funding streams. Red Road Healing Society is responsible for distributing Reaching Home's Indigenous Homelessness stream funding to communities in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Since 2019, Reaching Home has supported 3,325 community-selected projects across Canada that included Indigenous Peoples as a target population.
• The Old Strathcona Youth Society provides a monthly grocery bag or hamper through support from the Edmonton Food Bank, giving youth access to reliable food items when donations are available.
• Staff offer outreach support by accompanying youth to housing viewings, appointments, and other important commitments, which helps reduce stress and strengthens their ability to follow through on next steps.

For more information

• Old Strathcona Youth Society
• Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy