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Ottawa Citizen

Deachman: End youth homelessness? This Ottawa group has a plan

Article content Article content Ted Guillaume, who owns about 20 apartments in Ottawa, eight of which — including Isse's — are among OCH's stock, has only good things to say about the program. Article content A retired Grade 7 and 8 French immersion teacher with the Carleton District School Board and former chair of the Black Canadian Scholarship Fund, he says his emphasis has always been on helping youths. He's been involved with other social agencies, but says he's particularly impressed by OCH's continued mentorship after getting youths into units, to help ensure their success. Article content 'They're not just putting tenants there and then you don't see them anymore. They are present — with monthly inspections of the units — and they come to me if there are any issues.' Article content Guillaume also stresses the integration aspect of the program. 'Some of the youths have never learned to be neighbours, and once I noticed that, I kind of talked to them about being patient, being good, being charitable, being good neighbours.' Article content Article content Through this program, Ottawa could become the first major centre in Canada to eliminate youth homelessness, as worthy a cause as any, and one we can all be a part of. All that's needed now is getting the word out to landlords willing to help in what is essentially a no-risk proposition. Article content