The Male Youth Lodge

Quint saw the development of the Male Youth Lodge as a much needed and complimentary next step in our efforts to provide housing alternatives in the core neighbourhoods because transitional and emergency housing for young men was identified as one of the highest priorities in Saskatoon's Community Plan for Housing and Homelessness.

The doors to Quint's Male Youth Lodge opened in January 2003. This hostel provides safe, secure transitional housing for up to 10 young males 16 to 22 years old who need a place to stay, and wherever possible, will be linked to education, training, and employment opportunities. By having round-the-clock staffing, the lodge has been able to provide safe and appropriate housing combined with the support necessary to help at-risk young men make changes in their lives for the better.

The Lodge staff ensures that the guys are comfortable, that they really think of this place as their home. All of the young men are supported in their efforts towards their goals of finishing school, training or employment. This home is truly about change for the young men.

With the assistance from an Advisory Committee, the Lodge staff provides individual and group training in basic life and employment skills. Basic life skills include training in areas such as:

  • nutrition
  • general hygiene
  • cooking
  • financial literacy
  • and support in dealing with issues such as anger or addictions.

Staff also are involved in preparing the youth for employment by ensuring a case plan for each participant is developed outlining:

  • skills
  • interests
  • education
  • training

To further assist the young men

  • staff ensure each resident obtain valid ID and Social Insurance Number
  • involve the youth in role playing situations that depict job interviews
  • offer assistance with resume writing
  • offer assistance in job search
  • ensure that transportation to employment is not a concern.

Staff also provides links to community agencies involved in employment services such as Quint's Core Neighbourhoods at Work program and the Canada Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services Centre. These are all necessary supports to ensure that the young men are successful in their education, training or employment aspirations.

In addition to the service the Lodge provides for the youth, it also has many other significant comunity benefits. The rejuvenation of a previously stressed property in conjunction with a community-supported project has a positive, stabilizing effect on the local neighbourhood. Our neighbours in Pleasant Hill have told us that the renovation of this building has made a significant positive impact on the neighbourhood. Quint has just completed an extensive renovation on the house that achieved many CED goals. For example, the renovations provided on-the-job carpentry training for about 15 community residents, thanks to the support of Canada Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services. The renovations also incorporated significant energy efficiency retrofits into the building including a highly efficient radiant floor heating system and extra insulation in the walls and ceiling.

Becoming a Youth Lodge Resident

If you, or someone you know would benefit from a residency at the Male Youth Lodge, the following PDF documents are available for download.

contact info

Youth Lodge Advisory Committee

One of the other unique features of the operation of the Lodge has been the establishment of a very diverse group of community agency representatives to serve as an advisory committee during the development and operational phases. This committee has provided invaluable wealth of experience to Quint and the Lodges staff in ensuring that the Lodge best meets the needs of the community and the lodge residents. This committee consists of representatives from:

Next Steps

Quint and its partners recognize that there is a huge need for youth housing in Saskatoon and we are already planning for more youth housing alternatives in the near future.