Home Community Art in Action: Bringing Light to Sutton Youth Shelter

Art in Action: Bringing Light to Sutton Youth Shelter

February 14, 2025

By Ewa Chwojko-Srawley

The plain grey building on Dalton Road, across from No Frills, in Sutton might not catch your eye-it looks more like an industrial facility than a home. But inside, it serves as a refuge for youth experiencing homelessness.

This is the Sutton Youth Shelter, a space providing emergency and transitional housing for at-risk youth, and families with young children.
Holly Mitchell, the Drop-In Coordinator, acknowledges that the demand for shelters is greater than ever.

The cost of living is skyrocketing, encampments are growing, and more young people and families are finding themselves without a roof over their heads. We are here to help out not only by finding employment and teaching essential life skills, like cooking, but also by encouraging creativity and fostering connections with the broader community.

In line with this vision, their latest initiative brought life and colour to the shelter’s walls. A collaborative project turned a common area into a vibrant, cozy space. Ten youths, 3 local artists, and several volunteers and staff members spent a day painting and bonding over this creative endeavour.

Two of the volunteers adding a splash of colour to the mural were Robin Lockie and Kristy Ashton, Constables with York Region Police. They explained, ìPolice attending community events is important because it fosters trust and strengthens relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

When officers interact with community members in non-enforcement settings, like festivals, town meetings or youth programs such as this one it humanizes them. Making the community feel more comfortable and engaged. Additionally, positive interactions with the police can help to break down negative stereotypes and reduce tensions, contributing to a more peaceful and cohesive environment.

Risa Brazil, Community Action Table ambassador, shares ìPart of my job as a volunteer is coming up with ideas to help organizations. I discussed with Holly Mitchell the idea of painting the walls; we applied for a grant, and we got it. So today, we are all come together to make this space beautiful and uplifting.

One of the young participants, Harry, reflected on the experience: “This project is a welcome break from the work I’m doing right now. Creativity is so important it gives you a much-needed escape from the everyday nitty-gritty stuff.”

Karen Watson, an artist, shares, “Art brings people together and provides a refreshing escape. Today, I decided to paint a colourful turtle as it symbolizes Turtle Island and, hopefully, adds a little brightness to the room.”

This project shows how the Centre transforms not just walls, but also lives one brushstroke at a time.

If you own a small business or a farm, or just need some help, you can hire the youth. Some live in this transitional place for a year or so and would be happy to be a part of the community. Contact Holly Mitchell for details :(905) 722- 9076.