Y Stories • YMCA Youth Programs
YMCA Sprott House impacts lives: Moon's Story
14 January 2015 - by ymcablog
We're very proud to announce that the YMCA of Greater Toronto will become Canada's first transitional house for LGBTQ2SA youth! To celebrate, we wanted to share a story about how Sprott House is already making an impact on youth from this community.
Moon was only 19 he first entered the shelter system. Having recently emigrated from Iraq, a family conflict meant he had no one to turn to. After moving from shelter to shelter, he feels he was fortunate to be accepted into Sprott House.
These positive attributes are just a few of the reasons that the shift of YMCA Sprott House to a transitional house for the LGBTQ2SA community and its allies should be natural. The 25 rooms offer privacy and the environment already friendly and welcoming, so Moon doesn’t see too much changing, although there will be new programming geared to specific issues facing the LGBTQ2SA community.
Moon thinks the change to service the LGBTQ2SA community and its allies could happen in no better place.
And Sprott House will help even more marginalized youth do just that.
YMCA Sprott House is now accepting applications for residence. Applications are open to all youth 16 to 24 years of age. For more information please visit our website www.ymcagta.org/sprott
Please fill out the application form and e-mail it to sprott@ymcagta.org.
Moon was only 19 he first entered the shelter system. Having recently emigrated from Iraq, a family conflict meant he had no one to turn to. After moving from shelter to shelter, he feels he was fortunate to be accepted into Sprott House.
“At Sprott House, they are trying to help people move forward,” he says over the phone, on his way home from school (he is upgrading his English so he has more options for the future). “But, you have to work for it.”
“My first week at YMCA Sprott House, my life changed from zero to 75 percent better. I had my own room, support around me and opportunities. I even got my first job.
Anything you wish for, you can get.” says Moon.
These positive attributes are just a few of the reasons that the shift of YMCA Sprott House to a transitional house for the LGBTQ2SA community and its allies should be natural. The 25 rooms offer privacy and the environment already friendly and welcoming, so Moon doesn’t see too much changing, although there will be new programming geared to specific issues facing the LGBTQ2SA community.
“It is such a positive, multicultural environment and the staff are so wonderful and supportive,” Moon says thoughtfully. “They are actually like family.” Staff have not only helped him with his homework and resume, but also get his driver’s license and sort out his necessary immigration papers with the help of lawyers.
Moon thinks the change to service the LGBTQ2SA community and its allies could happen in no better place.
“I totally support the move. After what I’ve been through, I know it doesn’t matter what colour your skin is or what gender you are, as long as you can save your life.”
And Sprott House will help even more marginalized youth do just that.
YMCA Sprott House is now accepting applications for residence. Applications are open to all youth 16 to 24 years of age. For more information please visit our website www.ymcagta.org/sprott
Please fill out the application form and e-mail it to sprott@ymcagta.org.
