Windsor Youth Centre Faces Closure Without Urgent Funding Support

A significant funding crisis threatens the survival of Windsor’s only dedicated drop-in centre for homeless youth, the Windsor Youth Centre. The centre is facing a shortfall of $200,000, which could lead to its closure unless the community responds generously. Rukshini Ponniah-Goulin, executive director of the Downtown Mission, which operates the centre, described the situation as “dire,” emphasizing the urgent need for financial support.

To combat this funding emergency, the Windsor Youth Centre has initiated a fundraising campaign aiming to gather $200,000 by the end of 2023 and an additional $100,000 by June 30, 2026. Key strategies include appealing to ten influential community leaders, businesses, and organizations to each pledge $10,000 annually over the next two years. Ponniah-Goulin expressed optimism that the Windsor-Essex community would rally to support the centre, stating, “I’m confident that Windsor-Essex will come and join us and help us keep these young people safe and going forward with hope.”

Established in 2011, the Windsor Youth Centre has been part of the Downtown Mission since 2018. It relies heavily on community donations and does not receive consistent funding from local, provincial, or federal governments. Although the Downtown Mission could potentially reduce costs by shifting youth programming to its main location on Ouellette Avenue, Ashley Marchand, director of youth services and administration, noted that many young people feel uncomfortable there. “They feel scared,” she said, pointing out the risks of exploitation that vulnerable youth face in mixed environments.

The Windsor Youth Centre operates from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday. It serves youth aged 16 to 24, providing hot dinners and a variety of programs, including alternative conflict resolution, wellness and recovery peer support, and socio-economic navigation. The centre also runs a gender-sexuality alliance and offers appointment-based support and a family program for young parents. Attendees can take home essential items such as snacks, hygiene products, and clothing, all sourced through donations.

In the first half of 2025, the Windsor Youth Centre recorded 15,974 visits from young adults and 1,015 visits from minors, serving a total of 5,506 meals. The Generation WYC program has notably supported 80 children under the age of 15 this year, highlighting the centre’s critical role in the community.

Ponniah-Goulin reiterated the urgency of the funding situation, stating, “We want to keep all of the services at the Windsor Youth Centre going. We don’t want to reduce hours, as we have had to in the past.” The Downtown Mission is currently grappling with a financial deficit, which it attributes to increased demand and rising operational costs. Ponniah-Goulin acknowledged that a decline in donations correlates with local economic challenges, such as high unemployment and escalating prices for food and other essentials.

Community members and organizations interested in supporting the Windsor Youth Centre can contribute through the Downtown Mission’s website at downtownmission.com. The future of this vital service for at-risk youth hangs in the balance, underscoring the need for immediate community action to prevent its closure.