“You wouldn’t ask why the rose that grew from the concrete had damaged petals. On the contrary, we would all celebrate its tenacity… its will to reach the sun.”
— Tupac Shakur

At Eva’s, we see that resilience every day.

For more than three decades, our community has carried forward Eva Smith’s belief that young people deserve safety, dignity, and opportunity.

A safe bed tonight matters deeply. But long-term security also includes education, employment, and belonging to ensure a young person never returns to homelessness.

This spring, that work is gaining new momentum.

With catalytic support from the NBA Foundation and in partnership with George Brown Polytechnic, Eva’s is launching a bold new initiative designed to help youth move from shelter into post-secondary education and long-term careers.

The program reflects the resilience we see in the young people at Eva’s, many of whom identify as Black, racialized, newcomers, 2SLGBTQ+, or disabled youth navigating systems that were never designed for them to succeed. Yet their beauty, brilliance, and hope persist even in harsh circumstances.

Roses from Concrete creates a structured bridge-year pathway that prepares youth for post-secondary education and long-term careers, surrounding students with the stability, mentorship, and supports needed to persist, graduate, and flourish.

“The NBA Foundation is proud to support Eva’s as an Atlantic Region partner building innovative pathways that expand access to education and economic mobility for young people facing systemic barriers.”
— NBA Foundation Executive Director Ruth Jurgensen

Youth homelessness is not only a housing crisis — it is also an education and economic mobility crisis.

Across Canada, economic conditions have made it harder for young people to find stable footing. By June 2025, unemployment among youth aged 15–29 had climbed to 14.2%, significantly higher than pre‑pandemic levels. At the same time, the number of young people not in education, employment, or training has begun to rise.

For youth experiencing homelessness, the barriers are even greater. Research shows that between 63% and 90% of homeless youth did not complete high school. Without education pathways and stable housing, many young people are locked out of the opportunities that lead to independence.

Education changes that trajectory. Achieving post‑secondary education significantly lowers the likelihood of experiencing homelessness while increasing long‑term income and stability.

Help more roses rise from concrete. Your support strengthens Eva’s Shelter, Stability, and Security framework and ensures programs like Roses from Concrete continue building momentum for youth moving from shelter to graduation.

“Thinking about university wasn’t even on my radar. I was just trying to get through each day. But when you finally have stability and people who believe in you, you start believing in yourself too.”
— Aaliyah, former Eva’s Phoenix resident, who just completed her first year at university

Aaliyah arrived at Eva’s Phoenix after years growing up in the foster care system. At the time, she was focused on survival, not on long-term goals like university.

But the stability she found at Eva’s changed that. With housing, staff support, and space to focus on her future, Aaliyah began to imagine new possibilities. Today, she has completed her first year at a university in Toronto and has recently moved into independent housing, with continued support from Eva’s Follow-Up Program.

While Roses from Concrete did not exist when Aaliyah first arrived, she knows exactly what this program will mean for the youth coming to Eva’s next.

Roses from Concrete brings together these supports that make educational success possible, providing the strong foundation from which young people can rise:

Academic Bridging– Through George Brown Polytechnic’s Choices Program and academic upgrading pathways, youth rebuild confidence and prepare for post‑secondary admission.

Mentorship – A dedicated Scholar‑in‑Residence supported by graduate‑level mentors who support students through the critical first year of studies.

Integrated Stability Supports – Housing assistance, mental health care, transportation, life‑skills programming and access to essential learning tools to ensure education is built on stable ground.

This work lives within Security, the third pillar of Eva’s Shelter, Stability, and Security model, because lasting change requires all three moving together.

The NBA Foundation has planted a seed. George Brown Polytechnic is opening doors.
Community support sustains the rise.

Your support does not sit still. It moves with young people — from shelter to graduation, from instability to independence.

Be part of this momentum. Let’s move the future forward together.

Make your gift today and help build lasting pathways out of homelessness.