RADAR | THE LOCALER
Everyone Deserves a Home
Mike Lethby is helping to counter youth homelessness in Niagara. By Will Scott
Mike Lethby didn’t set out for a career in social services. Raised in the Niagara Region, he worked in the auto sector before earning degrees in history and political science. A newspaper ad for a non-profit research job changed his path — and 20 years later, he’s executive director of RAFT in St. Catharines, which bills itself as “the answer to youth homelessness.” It’s a bold statement, but success can be measured by the results. Under Lethby, RAFT has evolved from a drop-in centre into a region-wide leader in the prevention of youth homelessness. Its innovative model has earned a national reputation that draws visits from agencies from across Canada to listen and learn.
RAFT helps the person reach out to their support network — that approach alone prevents homelessness for roughly 80 percent of youth RAFT sees each year.
RAFT’s central insight is refreshingly simple: people become homeless when they lose access to family, friends or other social support — not primarily because of addiction or mental health, as is commonly assumed. “When you come in the door at most shelters, the assumption is that you need a shelter bed,” says Lethby. “We found that the majority of people have other options that they haven’t even considered.”
RAFT then helps the person reach out to their support network — that approach alone prevents homelessness for roughly 80 percent of youth RAFT sees each year. Though it serves a region of half a million people, RAFT’s youth shelter typically houses only a handful of young people at a time. Stays average nine days, with 60 percent of youth successfully housed directly from the shelter. Understood properly, says Lethby, homelessness isn’t as complex as people assume — it just requires rebuilding the relationships that keep people housed.
“So instead of being a last resort,” he says, “in some cases we’ve become a first resort.”
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond? We’d love to hear about them. Email us your nominations and they could be our featured Localer in an upcoming issue.
Mike Lethby is the executive director of RAFT. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF MIKE LETHBY
RADAR | PLAYLIST
What Songs Do You Road Trip to, For Ernest?
By Kim Hughes
Tara Lynn Stanclik and Michael Saracino are For Ernest. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF FOR ERNEST
Named for singer-songwriter Michael Saracino’s grandfather, who encouraged his grandson’s musical ambitions, St. Catharines duo For Ernest is very much on the map, with last spring’s Cinema album showcasing their pretty and highly approachable folk-pop. “We’ve spent a good amount of time on the road over the last few years, travelling to festivals through some beautiful Canadian landscapes,” Saracino offers on behalf of himself and his life and music partner, Tara Lynn Stanclik. “These songs are part of our travelling soundtrack; each [one] different but all keeping us inspired. What’s great is that when we’ve been at home for a while, a re-listen prompts wanderlust within us.” For Ernest also superbly covers one of their top picks: Bon Iver’s “Towers.”
We are providing a preview of the artist’s playlist. The full playlist can be experienced directly on Spotify with a free account. Songs may not be appropriate for everyone. Listener discretion is advised.
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Mike Lethby didn’t set out for a career in social services. Raised in the Niagara Region, he worked in the auto sector before earning degrees in history and political science. A newspaper ad for a non-profit research job changed his path — and 20 years later, he’s executive director of RAFT in St. Catharines, which bills itself as “the answer to youth homelessness.” It’s a bold statement, but success can be measured by the results. Under Lethby, RAFT has evolved from a drop-in centre into a region-wide leader in the prevention of youth homelessness. Its innovative model has earned a national reputation that draws visits from agencies from across Canada to listen and learn.
RAFT then helps the person reach out to their support network — that approach alone prevents homelessness for roughly 80 percent of youth RAFT sees each year.
RAFT’s central insight is refreshingly simple: people become homeless when they lose access to family, friends or other social support — not primarily because of addiction or mental health, as is commonly assumed. “When you come in the door at most shelters, the assumption is that you need a shelter bed,” says Lethby. “We found that the majority of people have other options that they haven’t even considered.”
RAFT then helps the person reach out to their support network — that approach alone prevents homelessness for roughly 80 percent of youth RAFT sees each year. Though it serves a region of half a million people, RAFT’s youth shelter typically houses only a handful of young people at a time. Stays average nine days, with 60 percent of youth successfully housed directly from the shelter. Understood properly, says Lethby, homelessness isn’t as complex as people assume — it just requires rebuilding the relationships that keep people housed.
“So instead of being a last resort,” he says, “in some cases we’ve become a first resort.”
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond? We’d love to hear about them. Email us your nominations and they could be our featured Localer in an upcoming issue.