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“Could we see a different outcome for young peop

“Could we see a different outcome for young people from foster care, and what would be needed in order for that to be possible?”

Listen to the “Great.com Talks With” podcast featuring StepStones for Youth’s founder and Executive Director Heather O’Keefe to learn more about our growth from a summer camp to an award-winning, Top 100 Canadian charity supporting young people in and from the foster care system. Find the link in our bio!

Our 2023 Impact Report is now available on our web

Our 2023 Impact Report is now available on our website! Read about the year that was at StepStones, including the growth and successes of our programming, Amisha and Arline’s French connection, and Tristan’s impressive accomplishments.

See the link in our bio!

Thank you to our partners at MPOWERED Real Estate

Thank you to our partners at MPOWERED Real Estate for their blog feature on StepStones for Youth and our impacts on the lives of youth in and from the foster care system. Visit our Linktree to read more and check out @MPOWEREDrealestate on Instagram!

The Youth Philanthropy Initiative grows compassion

The Youth Philanthropy Initiative grows compassionate communities by connecting students to social issues. Beatriz from Loretto College spoke with Alexi at our office about how StepStones helps young people in and from the foster care system. She will be presenting to her class at the end of the month and the YPI will award a number of organizations highlighted by youth with a financial donation. We are so grateful to @ypi_cares, and to Beatriz, for spreading the word about great organizations around the city!

This month we put out a call to our StepStones com

This month we put out a call to our StepStones community to help us fill our food pantry with nutritious and diverse food options for our youth. The response from our generous supporters and volunteers was overwhelming and we are “souper“ grateful! Thank you to Aaliyah and the U15B Bramer Team of the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association for their donation to our food pantry. @torontoleasidegirlshockey

Crafting Change, our biggest annual fundraiser, is

Crafting Change, our biggest annual fundraiser, is just a few short weeks away! It’s not too late to register; visit the Crafting Change Eventbrite page in our Linktree to reserve your free tickets today.

We asked a long-time supporter “why is it import

We asked a long-time supporter “why is it important to give monthly?” Here is what she had to say…

Can you introduce yourself?

“Hi! I’m Karen and I’m a licensed Osteopath and the founder of Heaven on Earth Integrated. We are a health and wellness organization dedicated to osteopathy, therapeutic yoga, and holistic wellness based out of Hamilton, Ontario. I’m originally from Montreal, where I spent my early years working in therapeutic bodywork and teaching yoga, but I have been living in Ontario for the last 14 years.”

What motivated you to support StepStones for Youth?

“I have been supporting StepStones since 2022. I’ve always cared deeply about helping the younger generation and was eager to do my part to support this cause. I was lucky enough to have a really good childhood, but not everybody is so fortunate. It’s so important that children and young adults feel loved and supported in their formative years, if not at home then somewhere else.”

As a longtime monthly supporter, would you like to say anything to our donor community?

“Monthly support not only builds a sense of stability for the youth but accumulates over time to have a much bigger impact. But even more importantly, it shows that people in your community care about you!”

Unfortunately, the StepStones food pantry is being

Unfortunately, the StepStones food pantry is being accessed more than usual and needs replenishing. Having food available at our office helps us engage young people so that we can work on building strong and supportive networks with them. It also decreases food insecurity for youth involved in the child welfare system who unfortunately live with this reality.

If you are in a position to donate to our food pantry, send us an email to info@stepstonesforyouth.com to coordinate a donation with us today.

Meet Yvonne! Yvonne joined StepStones in 2022 at a

Meet Yvonne! Yvonne joined StepStones in 2022 at age 17, having spent several years in the child welfare system. She was about to age out of foster care upon turning 18 with no family support or future guidance. StepStones helped Yvonne secure a housing grant which has allowed her to focus on her studies at Centennial College. Yvonne also found a community of friends and like-minded youth at StepStones’ various events and workshops, helping her feel more supported.
As we ramp up our program offerings for youth from foster care, it is becoming increasingly important to have sustained monthly support. To help hundreds of young people just like Yvonne currently supported by StepStones, make a monthly gift NOW and it will be DOUBLED for the entire first year!
Visit our LinkTree to watch the full video and learn more about doubling your monthly donation.

“I was stunned and mad to learn that we have mor

“I was stunned and mad to learn that we have more foster kids [in Los Angeles] than anywhere else in the country. I was also kicking myself for not knowing that before so I thought, ‘Well, this is it. Let’s focus on this.’ My wife and I decided that we were going to do everything we could in our power to change that.”

Read the article via @guardian.

Thank you to Annabelle and our partners at @uwgrea

Thank you to Annabelle and our partners at @uwgreaterto for their belief in StepStones and our mission to help youth find stable housing and lasting connections through our Mentorship and Homelessness Prevention programs. United Way Greater Toronto has been a steadfast partner and champion of StepStones youth for many years, and we’re so grateful for their ongoing support.

StepStones’ housing subsidies help give youth a

StepStones’ housing subsidies help give youth a safe place to call home so they can focus on pursuing their education, applying for jobs, and improving their mental health. Your donation helps us provide this vital support to more young people and offers them a healthier, more stable future. Find out how to donate on our website!

We are excited to announce an incredible opportuni

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for the StepStones community. Every new monthly gift to StepStones between now and April 1st will be matched for the entire first year (up to a maximum of $10,000)! That means a monthly gift of $10 will be worth $240 of support in the first year alone!

Follow the "Monthly Gift Matching Offer" link in our Linktree to learn more about the offer, and the impact that sustained support can have in the lives of our youth.

#ThrowbackThursday to May 2023, the return of Craf

#ThrowbackThursday to May 2023, the return of Crafting Change after a three-year pandemic hiatus! Our supportive community welcomed us back with open arms last year and we can’t wait to do it again on May 30th, 2024.

Reserve your tickets at the link on the official Crafting Change Eventbrite page in our Linktree.

We’re so grateful for the generous and thoughtfu

We’re so grateful for the generous and thoughtful donors who help keep our youth food pantry stocked with nutritious options! If you’d like to contribute, please send us a direct message or email to coordinate a pantry donation and help reduce food insecurity for youth at StepStones with healthy snacks and meal choices.

Happy International Women’s Day 2024! This year’s theme of #InspireInclusion calls us to understand and value women's inclusion, and to forge a more inclusive world for women globally. StepStones began as an overnight summer camp for girls aged 6-14 who were involved in the child welfare system and remains committed to working in solidarity with and removing barriers for young women.

Thank you to the Great.com Talks With podcast for

Thank you to the Great.com Talks With podcast for profiling StepStones for Youth and founder and Executive Director, Heather O’Keefe! Together with host Danielle Ribero, Heather discussed StepStones for Youth’s commitment to supporting Canada's youth to find their own paths for the future, through understanding, care and meaningful connections. Check out the episode in our Linktree or on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Google Podcasts, or anywhere you listen to your podcasts.

StepStones for Youth is thrilled to announce the r

StepStones for Youth is thrilled to announce the return of our annual fundraiser: Crafting Change! With delicious craft beer and food, inspiring speeches from our youth, and an opportunity to build connections with like-minded supporters, Crafting Change 2024 is one of our most anticipated events of the year.

This year's event will also celebrate an organizational milestone – our 20th anniversary!

Please join us on this important night as we raise funds for young people in and from the child welfare system and honour the wonderful community of supporters who make our work possible.

To reserve FREE tickets for yourself and your colleagues, friends, and family, please visit the Eventbrite link in our Linktree.

Location: King York Terrace and Lounge, 150 King St W, Toronto, ON M5H1J9
Date: Thursday, May 30th 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The children and youth reading library at StepSton

The children and youth reading library at StepStones is stocked with books focusing on diverse characters, stories, and authors. Check out some examples of anti-racist literature we have stocked at StepStones.

A HUGE thanks to the @x.posed_film crew for raisin

A HUGE thanks to the @x.posed_film crew for raising a whopping $8,000 at their 2024 Exposed Film Art Event in support of young people at StepStones for Youth! We are so honoured to be the recipient of such tremendous generosity from individuals and artists in Toronto’s film industry for the second year in a row. Congratulations to Exposed Film for a super successful show! If you want to make this kind of impact, contact us to learn how you can host a fundraiser to help StepStones too!

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StepStones for Youth © 2019 | Registered Charitable Number: 85355 0077 RR0001