Eva Smith was a community outreach worker and counsellor who knew and understood people in despair, particularly youth. She was a woman of action, determination and persistence. Eva Smith's mission was to use her skills and her knowledge of how the social services system works to help people find solutions to their problems.

In 1987, she helped to found the North York Emergency Home for Youth. Her work and advocacy resulted in the construction of Eva's Place.

There is a pressing need for new approaches and long-term solutions to help youth break the cycle of homelessness and make the transition from living on the streets to finding permanent housing and employment. Eva's Initiatives prides itself on its ongoing efforts to seek long-term solutions by offering proactive and collaborative programs and services that respond directly to the needs of homeless and at-risk youth in our community - and provide the stability they require to move off the streets permanently.

Since its first day of operation, Eva's Initiatives has helped over 19,000 youth from the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada. Every year, approximately 2300 youth receive help with such diverse issues as substance abuse, finding a job, finishing school, learning life skills, receiving career training, sex education, exploring recreational opportunities and family re-connection.

Inspired by the legacy of Eva Smith, Eva's Place strives to keep her vision alive by providing a supportive, diverse and safe environment for the youth we serve. For more on Eva and Eva's Place, click here

Courtesy of  http://www.evasinitiatives.com/who.php