PIY Services

PIY Services PIY strategically brings resources directly to homeless, at-risk, and newcomer youth in need.

Serving the Ottawa area, PIY's intention is to stop chronic homelessness, starting with our youth.

01/27/2026

Over the past decade, thousands of youth in Ontario have faced homelessness. Causes include family conflict, housing instability, and social challenges. Together, we can raise awareness and support programs that make a difference. Contact us today to learn more about our services and ways to support.

Potential in Youth is excited to host Wardrobe Day 2: Dressed To Dream- Pick & Shine, a special event dedicated to empo...
09/15/2025

Potential in Youth is excited to host Wardrobe Day 2: Dressed To Dream- Pick & Shine, a special event dedicated to empower homeless youth in our community on the 29th of September!

What’s Happening:

Free Clothing for All Youth:
Every young person will be bused directly to have the chance to choose the clothes they need, from everyday essentials to stylish outfits at a clothing store.
Meals:
Every youth will be given a meal made with care from the community
Financial Literacy Workshop:
Learning to manage money is just as important as having the right wardrobe. Our interactive session will help youth build confidence in handling their finances.
Resource Game:
We’re making learning fun! Through an engaging game, youth will explore the resources available to them and leave better equipped with knowledge and tools they can use right away.

Dressed To Dream- Pick & Shine is more than just new clothes. It’s about dignity, confidence, and empowerment. By combining essential resources with practical skills, we’re helping youth take steps toward brighter futures.

A special thank you to our sponsors who have made this happen! Together, we’re building confidence, one outfit and one skill at a time.

Homelessness has evolved over the decades, shaped by economic shifts, policy changes, and social issues.This is what sta...
11/22/2024

Homelessness has evolved over the decades, shaped by economic shifts, policy changes, and social issues.
This is what statistics show us!

1970s: Urban decay and deinstitutionalization led to rising homelessness.
1980s: Economic recessions and cuts to welfare programs worsened the crisis.
1990s: Prosperity masked growing inequality, while tough-on-crime policies increased homelessness.
2000s: The Great Recession caused mass foreclosures, pushing many into homelessness.
2010s: Despite new approaches, rising rents and stagnant wages kept homelessness high.

Today, the fight continues. Let's work towards solutions that provide housing and support for all!

Sources Below! ↓

Chan, J. (2024, January 29). Canada’s homelessness crisis: What’s gone wrong since the 1960s? The Varsity. https://thevarsity.ca/2024/01/28/canadas-homelessness-crisis-whats-gone-wrong-since-the-1960s/


We at Potential in Youth (PIY) want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible grant providers and supporters. You...
11/08/2024

We at Potential in Youth (PIY) want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible grant providers and supporters. Your generous support is more than just financial assistance—it's a beacon of hope for homeless and at-risk youth in Ottawa.

With your help, we've been able to create impactful programs that provide vital resources and opportunities for these young people to break free from the cycle of homelessness and build brighter futures.

Thank you for believing in our mission and empowering us to make a real difference. Together, we are changing lives, one youth at a time. 💙


Supporting a nonprofit that helps homeless youth is a powerful way to make a difference! Here are a few ways you can con...
10/24/2024

Supporting a nonprofit that helps homeless youth is a powerful way to make a difference! Here are a few ways you can contribute:

Donate: Financial contributions go a long way in providing essential services like shelter, food, and education.

Volunteer: Offer your time or skills—whether it’s mentoring, helping with events, or providing administrative support.

Customized Apparel: We offer Print-on-Demand Apparel services! Send us a message to put in a request. All proceeds go to organizing our events and services.

Every bit helps in creating a brighter future for these young individuals! 🌟


Finland: “Housing First” approach provides permanent housing as the first step, coupled with support services. This mode...
10/18/2024

Finland: “Housing First” approach provides permanent housing as the first step, coupled with support services. This model has significantly reduced homelessness, making Finland one of the few countries where homelessness is decreasing.

Japan: Focuses on quick reintegration into society through government-supported employment programs and temporary shelters. Also prioritizes family and community support systems to prevent homelessness.

United States: Employs a mix of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. The effectiveness varies by state and city, areas facing severe challenges due to high housing costs and inadequate social services. Single individuals make up about 66.7% of the homeless population.

Australia: Strategy includes a mix of emergency shelters, community housing, and outreach programs targeting the root causes of homelessness. Has also introduced specialized support for Indigenous populations, who are disproportionately affected.

Singapore: Has a supportive and actionable Housing and Development Board, which built 51,031 new housing units over the course of five years in 1960. The majority of people own their own homes.

Germany: Emphasizes preventing homelessness through social welfare programs, including rent subsidies and legal protections against eviction. For those who do become homeless, there are shelter systems and rehabilitation programs.

Sources Below! ↓

Wanyonyi, S. (2020, January 5). Homelessness in Germany on the rise. The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/homelessness-in-germany-on-the-rise/ #:~:text=Law%20requires%20German%20municipalities%20to%20provide%20basic%20emergency,entitles%20the%20owner%20to%20some%20form%20of%20assistance.

How homelessness is addressed in different countries. The HomeMore Project. (2022, May 18). https://thehomemoreproject.org/how-homelessness-is-handled-in-different-countries/

Access to Education: Many homeless youth struggle to attend school regularly, leading to educational gaps and reduced fu...
10/04/2024

Access to Education: Many homeless youth struggle to attend school regularly, leading to educational gaps and reduced future opportunities.

Mental Health: The trauma of homelessness can exacerbate mental health issues, and accessing appropriate mental health care is often difficult for homeless youth.

Medical Neglect: Often times it is difficult or near impossible to visit a nurse or doctor for more long-term issues.

Legal Barriers: Homeless youth often face legal challenges, including issues with identification documents, which can prevent them from accessing services and support.

Substance Abuse: Homeless youth are more vulnerable to substance abuse as a coping mechanism, leading to further health and social issues.

Employment: Without a stable home address, it’s challenging to secure and maintain employment, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Safety and Security: Living on the streets exposes youth to violence, exploitation, and crime making it difficult to escape the cycle of homelessness. They may also be stuck in harsh weather conditions, making them more susceptible to illness.

Sources Below! ↓

Direct Energy, The Ontario Trillium Foundation. (n.d.). Youth Homelessness in Canada - A Road to Solutions. Raising The Roof.https://www.raisingtheroof.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/road2sols-FINAL.pdf

Every purchase from our Print-on-Demand Apparel service goes directly towards making a positive impact in the lives of y...
09/27/2024

Every purchase from our Print-on-Demand Apparel service goes directly towards making a positive impact in the lives of youth in need.

By buying a shirt, hoodie, or tote bag, you're helping PIY provide essential resources, support, and opportunities to young people who need it most. Your purchase helps create events, fund vital activities, and offer much-needed assistance to homeless and at-risk youth. 🙌
Buy a shirt!
https://piyservices.com/custom-apparel-and-uniform-printing-services/


How can you support homeless youth in the Ottawa area?Advocate: Support policies and initiative that address youth homel...
09/20/2024

How can you support homeless youth in the Ottawa area?

Advocate: Support policies and initiative that address youth homelessness, speak on oppressive policies that prevent youth from accessing resources.
Donate Essentials: Contribute clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, food to local shelters and community centers.
Support and Volunteer with Local Nonprofits: Collaborating with nonprofits such as PIY, where the main focus is on homeless youth and their necessities.
Raise Awareness: Use social media platforms to highlight the challenges that homeless youth face, advertise any events hosted by youth-centered initiatives.
Mentor a Youth: Many schools, community centers, and shelters offer programs where you can do some activities with youth.

Your actions can make a real difference in breaking the cycle of youth homelessness, and prevent it from ever happening in the first place.


PIY Services was founded by a group of resilient youth who, through sheer determination and support, managed to break fr...
09/06/2024

PIY Services was founded by a group of resilient youth who, through sheer determination and support, managed to break free from the barriers of homelessness.

These young individuals, who once faced the harsh realities of life without stable housing, have now turned their experiences into a powerful force for change.

After overcoming the obstacles that once held them back, they made a commitment to give back to their community by supporting other youth who are in similar situations.

They understand the struggles firsthand and are dedicated to providing the resources, guidance, and support needed to help today's youth break the cycle of homelessness and build a brighter future.

PIY Services is more than just an organization—it's a movement born from the courage and compassion of those who have walked the path and are now paving the way for others. 💙



Address

Ottawa, ON

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

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