A Centretown-based advocate for at-risk youth has won an award of excellence from the Ottawa Youth Justice Services Network.
Elspeth McKay is the executive director of Operation Come Home, a non-profit organization on Gloucester Street that has been helping at-risk and homeless youth between the ages of 16-25 since 1971 to gain the tools, resources and support they need to succeed.
McKay has been working in the non-profit sector for about 30 years and has been at Operation Come Home since 2007.
She says it’s her “passion to work with youth and homeless populations.”
While Operation Come Home has won several awards during its history, this is the first individual award for McKay who says she found the recognition “very touching.”
Janet Crupi, executive director of the youth justice network, says it was well deserved.
“This award goes to her because of her leadership, innovation and advocacy in the community for her clients,” says Crupi. The network’s Award of Excellence is given out annually to someone who shows leadership and collaboration in the field of youth justice in Ottawa. The award is voted on by members of community groups that help at-risk youth.
Sharmaarke Abdullahi, a business consultant with Crime Prevention Ottawa, whose main mission is to contribute to crime prevention and enhance city safety, calls the work of Operation Come Home “invaluable.”
“I think it’s one of the more vital programs across the city. It is a phenomenal initiative that gives great tools to young people.”
Those resources include employment and education programs, counselling, assistance with entrepreneurship and finding affordable housing.
Abdullahi and McKay say these services help reduce harm and get young people back on a track to success.
“If the young people are here at Operation Come Home, doing something productive and trying to achieve some of their goals they are less likely to come in contact with the law,” says McKay
Abdullahi agrees.
“It’s important to support youth who may be vulnerable or may have been victimized, so that they can find outlets.”
One of Operation Come Home’s well-known programs is re:Purpose, a boutique where homeless and at-risk youth can sell their artwork and other items, giving the youth a creative outlet and meaningful employment opportunities.
Despite the existence of these programs and the hard work of people like McKay, youth homelessness is still a significant issue in the city say social service advocates.
Carole Gagnon, vice-president, community services at United Way Ottawa, says there are about 2,000 youth that are homeless or street involved in the city.
“Some of the main reasons youth face homelessness are mental health issues, addictions or conflict in the home,” says Gagnon.
Conflict in the home is part of why Operation Come Home was founded. Its goal was helping runaways.
It stills caters to the needs of those trying to find a helpful and supportive place to go, and creates a family atmosphere among those who use and have used its services.