Grand Opening of NEOFACS’ Transition Home Program in Timmins

Providing Supportive Semi-Independent Housing Units to Youth

TIMMINS, ON (April 4, 2024) — North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) celebrated the grand opening of its new Transition Home Program in Timmins on April 4, 2024, situated at 457 Wilcox Street. The program marks a significant milestone in providing affordable supportive housing units and on-site services to youth aged 16 to 23 who are receiving services from NEOFACS.

The Transition Home Program plays an essential role in providing a stable and supportive environment for these young people who often have no other family or community options to rely on while trying to establish their independence. Key program benefits include:

  • Affordable Stable Housing: The program offers affordable temporary accommodations and support, with youth contributing towards rent, not exceeding $480 per month. Ranging from one month to a year, the average stay is about six months, fostering stability for youth to focus on their well-being and acquire life skills essential for adulthood and independent living.
  • Housing Security: The program provides semi-independent housing units and on-site support services, aiming to prevent youth homelessness by offering targeted support and guidance to those in need. Youth leave the program better equipped to identify, access, and navigate community services relevant to their needs.
  • Supportive Services and Community Connections: Compassionate and caring workers provide guidance and support to the youth to help them develop essential life and social skills, while a House Parent lives on-site to oversee the program. Mental health services are also accessible, and meeting rooms are available for community partners. These wrap-around resources ensure that young people have a community of support when they need it most. When services and support are not available through NEOFACS, appropriate community resources will be referred to in consultation with the youth.
  • Emotional and Social Well-Being: The program helps ease the transition into adulthood and combat loneliness by offering supportive services and common spaces for recreational activities. By taking a holistic housing-first approach, the program helps foster personal growth, resilience, and self-sufficiency, leading to long-term stability and well-being.

Having successfully operated a similar program in New Liskeard for over a decade, NEOFACS extends its impact in Timmins, supporting more regional youth in their transition to independence.

“Our Transition Home Program in Timmins marks a pivotal step in our commitment to expanding support services to the youth we serve. This program is not just about providing affordable housing, it's about creating a nurturing environment where young people can thrive, gain valuable life skills, and build a foundation for a successful future,” said Cléo Charlebois, Executive Director of NEOFACS. “We are proud to work alongside our community partners to be able to offer this vital resource to youth in the Timmins region, ensuring they have the support they need.”

The program received funding that was previously announced in July 2023. The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario provided nearly $2 million to help retrofit the existing NEOFACS service location on Wilcox. The project created six new housing units, including a barrier-free/accessible unit and common spaces such as a laundry room, study room and entertainment room. Five of the units are one-bedroom units for youth, each with its own kitchen and bathroom. The sixth unit is for the live-in House Parent, which has two additional bedrooms to provide respite to the agency’s Therapeutic Family Home Program and foster homes.

"The success of creating the Transition Home Program in Timmins is a testament to community partnerships. We are grateful for the financial support from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, which helped make this project a reality. Additionally, our collaborations with local community partners, including the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, have been crucial and will continue to be instrumental as we move forward,” said Don Anderson, Board President of NEOFACS. “Together, we are able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people in our region who are leaving care or receiving other services from NEOFACS by providing them with the resources they need to build a better future."

The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the program and unveil the newly renovated building’s facilities. Internal referrals are currently under review by the agency’s selection committee, with the first program admissions expected to begin in May 2024, further enhancing NEOFACS' impact on youth well-being.

Group of people cutting ribbon for grand opening

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About NEOFACS:
North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) is an integrated agency providing services to children, youth and their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming. Our Agency provides Child Welfare, Child and Youth Mental Health, Youth Justice, Prevention, and Community-Based programs. Our client-responsive programs and services are innovative, evidence-based, and designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve. For more information, please visit https://www.neofacs.org.

Media Contact:
Mélanie Watson, Communications Coordinator
705-360-2121 | melanie.watson@neofacs.org