Last year, Argus Residence for Young People received 251 inquiries for service, served 185 clients in shelter and demonstrated an average occupancy rate of 89%. Eighty-one percent of youth accessing Argus disclosed physical, sexual or emotional abuse to staff, at intake. Forty-seven percent left their family home for the first time between the ages of 12-15: an additional 7% were under the age of 12. Seventy-five percent of youth had special consideration issues, including, but not limited to, mental health and medical concerns. For the majority of young people accessing Argus, a return to home is not an option due to abuse or chronic family breakdown. As a result, it is imperative that they receive essential services in an environment which fosters their potential and enhances their social and economic viability.

In response, staff in partnership with our team of dedicated volunteers and community partners, offered programs and supports which foster independence and civic engagement. These programs include productive activity (which includes school, work, job-searching), one-to-one goal setting (clients create three weekly goals all of which correspond to successful discharge), household and time management program (which includes budgeting, nutrition, household responsibilities and honoring time commitments), weekly educational groups, weekly conflict resolution meetings, monthly client cluster support meetings (which includes a combination of personal and professional supports who brainstorm client options), recreation (offered in partnership with the Chaplin Family YMCA), medical supports, (offered in partnership with Langs Farm Village Association) and counseling (offered in partnership with Lutherwood Family Counselling Service).