OUR HOLISTIC VISION

A home built with care, culture, and community at its heart.

The Holistic Hub is more than a place to live—it’s a nurturing ecosystem created with and for BIPOC youth+ leaving care. It’s a space for healing, learning, and growing into independence with dignity and support.

Background and Need

Why This Hub Matters Now

The Challenge

BIPOC Youth+ aging out of care face urgent challenges:

Over 6,000 youth leave care each year in Canada
Many are young parents with little to no support
Common barriers: homelessness, poverty, job insecurity, limited access to healthcare and education

In cities like Ottawa, the risks are even greater due to a lack of targeted supports.

A Call to Action

Recognizing these urgent challenges, CYPCC is developing a Holistic Hub to provide affordable housing and wraparound services for BIPOC Youth+ leaving care. This initiative goes beyond shelter—it offers emotional, educational, and vocational support tailored to each individual's needs.

By creating a safe, culturally grounded space for healing and growth, the Hub empowers Youth+ to build resilience, achieve self-sufficiency, and thrive.

This is more than a project—it’s a necessary step toward lasting change. The Holistic Hub represents hope, stability, and a call for collective action to ensure these Youth+ are no longer overlooked.

Our Vision

"This sanctuary is more than a place to live—it’s a place to thrive."

A Holistic Home for Healing, Growth, and Belonging

The Holistic Hub is an innovative solution designed to support BIPOC Youth+ transitioning out of child welfare. Beyond an affordable housing service, it offers a comprehensive ecosystem of care rooted in culture, community, and lived experience.

It is designed to nurture well-being, independence, and long-term success through:

Communal Living & Cultural Connection
A shared space for cooking, dining, and building relationships, with workshops and programs that reflect and celebrate cultural identity.
Study & Resource Area
A dedicated space with computers, WiFi, and referral services to help youth navigate education, employment, and support systems.
Outdoor Gathering & Gardening Spaces
Areas that promote food sustainability, connection to land, and environmental stewardship.
Trauma-Informed Environment
A safe, responsive space that honors the lived experiences of each resident and supports healing and personal growth.

Impact and Goals

Building Futures, Shaping Change

Societal Impact

Each year, approximately 6,000 youth age out of the Canadian child welfare system without a safety net, many of whom are Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour.

These youth face the abrupt end of government care, often without family, stable housing, or ongoing support. While navigating the lasting impacts of trauma, Youth+ aging out of care are at higher risk of unemployment, mental health challenges, substance use, homelessness, and involvement with the justice system. Many delay key life milestones such as education, employment, and independent living, often well into adulthood, due to systemic and structural barriers.

The Holistic Hub is being developed to fill this critical gap. It will provide a safe, culturally grounded space offering housing supports, life skills, mental health resources, and mentorship to help youth+ transition successfully into adulthood. This project specifically prioritizes BIPOC youth+ from care who are most at risk of falling through the cracks. Our goal is to build connection, capacity, and community so no young person leaves care feeling alone.

Short-term Goals

We Are Seeking:

A safe, vacant building within the Ottawa area
Zero-cost leasing or donation of the property
The space would accommodate up to 30-50+ people, offering rooms for

group programming, one-on-one support, and small-scale social events.

The Hub Will Provide:

Social events designed to build community and reduce isolation
A safe space for guidance and mentorship
Mental health support
Job readiness programs
Skill-building workshops

Long-term Goals

A State-of-the-Art Holistic Hub with Residential Housing

We aim to acquire or build a permanent state-of-the-art facility in Ottawa that combines residential housing with
wrap-around services for youth aging out of care. Acting as an innovative model that could be replicated across Canada.

Benefits to the Local Region

National Recognition: Ottawa would be recognized as a leader in providing innovative solutions for youth ageing

out of care, setting an example for other communities across Canada.

Strengthening of the Neighborhood: The Hub will contribute to overall positive improvements in its area by

providing a space that fosters empowerment, community engagement, and social cohesion.

Strong Community Partnerships: Our collaboration with local businesses, mental health professionals, and

employment partners will provide shared benefits to the entire neighborhood.

Long-Term Impact: By addressing the needs of youth in transition, the project will reduce homelessness,

unemployment, and criminal activity, contributing to a safer and more prosperous Ottawa.