Friends Of Ruby Needs Donations After A Flood Destroyed Their Drop-In Centre

The non-profit Toronto organization supports queer youth, some of whom are experiencing homelessness…

On January 6, Friends of Ruby, a beloved Toronto organization supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, experienced an unexpected challenge when a water pipe broke at their 489 Queen St. E. location, causing substantial flooding in their Youth Drop-In Centre on the lower level. The water pipe breakage caused extensive damage to walls and fixtures in the space, and the lower level now requires a full rebuild. The space remains closed for repairs. 

Friends of Ruby is a welcoming space that provides 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16 to 29 years with a variety of tailored resources, including mental health services, social services and housing. The non-profit organization is not fully funded by the government, and relies on community support to sustain essential services such as mental health services, staff well-being, and hybrid services infrastructure. The drop-in centre was a space where youth could find meals, clothing, activities, life-skills development, harm reduction strategies, support groups and community. 

While the physical space has been impacted, Friends of Ruby remains committed to serving youth across the city. 

“It has been a challenging situation,” Jess Lee, senior director of youth services, told IN Magazine. “The water has been removed and power has been restored but, unfortunately, the damage was extensive enough that the lower level requires a full rebuild. The downstairs is currently closed, and we’ve had to make temporary adjustments to ensure that we can continue to provide services to the youth who depend on us.” 

Lee explained that the organization currently serves more than 100 youth daily, some of whom are experiencing homelessness, through their drop-in services and youth programming.

The centre acted quickly to bring their services back online: the drop-in centre was moved to the main floor space at 489 Queen St. E. and reopened a week later, on January 13 – but at a reduced capacity of 80 per cent, and on an appointment-only basis. The organization expects that they will be operating at this reduced capacity for the next three months while repairs from the flood take place on the lower level.

“While the closure of the drop-in centre is certainly a setback, we are adapting to continue providing critical services,” Lee said. “Our drop-in services, such as food, clothing and harm reduction supplies, are now being offered by appointment at the ground floor. We’re also operating a temporary warming centre for youth, and are providing virtual programming and mental health supports to ensure we maintain support for their well-being. We’ve made every effort to minimize disruptions, though our capacity will be reduced for the next few months as we rebuild.”

Friends of Ruby is also committed to increasing virtual programming and services during this period. 

“I want to emphasize that despite the challenges this situation has presented, the resilience of our community is truly inspiring,” Lee said. “We are fully committed to continuing our support for the youth who depend on us. Friends of Ruby is more than just a drop-in – it’s a life-saving space that helps youth meet their basic needs and provides emotional and social support.”

What is the best way to make a donation?

While insurance may eventually cover foundational repairs and basic restoration of the damaged lower level, Friends of Ruby is calling on our community for financial support to help address urgent needs, including food and basic necessities, temporary space setup, and replacing art and office supplies to keep programs running smoothly.

“We greatly appreciate any support from the community, especially during this time,” Lee said. “Your donation will go directly towards rebuilding the youth centre and supporting the temporary space that’s housing our services.” 

Donations will help provide unrestricted funds, enabling the organization to meet urgent needs and recovery efforts, as well as continue to provide crucial services and furnish the temporary drop-in space.

“We are deeply grateful for the continued support from our staff, donors and the community during this recovery period,” Lee said. “Together, we will emerge from this stronger, and we will continue to build a space where youth can find safety, stability and hope.” 

Those interested in supporting Friends of Ruby’s flood recovery efforts can make a direct donation at give.stratly.com/friends-of-ruby/campaigns/flood-response or even start their own fundraiser for Friends of Ruby through canadahelps.org/en/charities/FriendsOfRuby/p2p/flood.