Shelterlink Youth Services

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

We are getting lots of questions of who is performing at the Black Swan Coffee House for Change. We have confirmed Perth County Conspiracy (Does Not Exist) Musicians will be Terry Jones, Cedric Smith, Mike McConkey and David Woodhead. In addition, we are thrilled to have Barry James Payne and the String Bone join us as well. Check out some of their music here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO5wSrdF20E&list=RDQO5wSrdF20E&start_radio=1

Tickets are $35 and on sale now at www.shelterlink.org

String Bone performs Come On Train with special guest Shane Guse....

09/24/2026

It always makes are heart flutter when youth help youth. Thank you Daniel and the Boy Scouts of Canada for doing a bottle drive to support Shelterlink. In just four hours they managed to raise over $725.00. Wow! That's a lot of bottles.

09/22/2026

This past weekend was a whirlwind of moving! We had two youth move out of shelter into independant living and we have another youth moving out on October 1. We are so grateful to Richard and Ruth from Simple Dreams for their donation of new mattresses to these youth. And we are also grateful to our volunteer Aaron who helped with the move.

09/15/2026

This week, we pause to remember a young person who once called Shelterlink home.

They were more than a young person experiencing homelessness. They were someone with a story, a personality, hopes, dreams, and a future that mattered. During their time with us, they were part of our Shelterlink community, and they left an impact on the people who had the privilege of knowing them.

We were deeply saddened by their passing three years ago and hold their family, friends, and everyone who cared for them in our thoughts.

This week, we remember them not for how they died, but for who they were.

09/10/2026

Thank you so much for this wonderful initiative. As we head into the time of Thanksgiving we are so thankful for the support. Stratford Cares 100

💚 Our Focus: Building the Stratford Cares 100

Right now, our primary focus at Stratford Cares is:

100 neighbours. $100 each. $10,000 of local impact.

Our goal is to bring together 100 people who each contribute $100 annually, creating $10,000 in community support for:

➡️ Stratford House of Blessing

➡️ Shelterlink Youth Services

➡️ CMHA Huron Perth

➡️ Emily Murphy Centre (Tiny Homes Project)

💚 Want to be recognized as one of the Stratford Cares 100 on our website?

Visit https://www.StratfordCares.org

complete our short recognition form, and you'll then be directed to CanadaHelps to make your contribution.

💚 Prefer to donate directly?

You can go straight to our Stratford Cares 100 CanadaHelps campaign and contribute there. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/stratford-cares-100

Help us reach 100. Be one of the 100.

Neighbours, caring for neighbours.

Kindness Changes Lives. 💚

09/08/2026

And they are off....first day back is crazy for any household. Ours just looks a little different. We are so proud of the seven youth in our programs who are enrolled in high school and university. Have a great first day!

09/02/2026

Thank you for highlighting these incredible accomplishments by youth in our programs. Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation

A couple of years ago, Andrea was facing an unsafe home situation and trying to navigate housing, school, finances and what would come next.

With support from Shelterlink Youth Services, she found stability, stayed in school, kept working, returned to sports and received practical help with transportation, housing applications and financial supports.

Today, Andrea is a 2026 graduate.

“One of the biggest things is that I’m graduating, which is something I’m really proud of because there were times I honestly didn’t know if I would make it this far.”

Support from Stratford and Perth County Community Foundation helps organizations like Shelterlink provide the day-to-day resources and trusted relationships that can make a meaningful difference for young people in our community.

Andrea’s story is a powerful example of what that support can help make possible.

09/02/2026

🖤 THE BLACK SWAN COFFEE HOUSE IS BACK! 🖤

Remember the Black Swan Coffee House Revival? Before COVID, it was an evening of great local music, community, and fundraising for Shelterlink Youth Services.

Now, as Shelterlink celebrates 35 years, we're bringing it back!

🎶 Black Swan Coffee House for Change

📅 November 7, 2026

🕖 7–10 p.m.

📍 Avondale United Church

🎟️ $35 - www.shelterlink.org

Featuring music from Perth County Conspiracy (Does Not Exist) and Barry James Payne and String Bone!

Come celebrate 35 years of Shelterlink supporting youth across Perth County and help us look toward the next 35 years.

🎟️ $35 for an evening of music, memories, community and hope.

09/01/2026

We are so grateful to River Melons for their support of our food program. They provide fresh produce every week to our shelter to ensure youth have access to local, healthy food. Thank you!