Kingston Youth Arts and Culture Centre: Building Hope Through Creative Community
In 2024, the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area made a significant investment in the future of Kingston’s youth by granting $13,000 to Home Base Housing to develop the business plan for the Kingston Youth Arts and Culture Centre (KYACC). This transformative project, located at the corner of Princess Street and Albert Street, is designed to support homeless and at-risk youth aged 12–24 by providing a safe, creative space that supports healing, fosters personal development, and encourages pro-social engagement. KYACC is part of the larger Kingston Youth Services Hub—a coordinated access point for youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness, offering integrated supports that include housing, wellness, education, and community connection.
KYACC is envisioned as the third phase of a comprehensive, multi-stage initiative to address youth homelessness in Kingston. Building on the success of the One Roof Youth Services Hub, which has already been nationally recognized for its leadership in youth homelessness prevention, the Arts and Culture Centre will offer programming in arts therapy, music, Indigenous healing, and wellness. These programs are intended not only to foster resilience and self-expression but also to reduce youth isolation and improve mental health outcomes.
“I feel less isolated because I have a place to go where I am supported. I graduated high school because I could come here to do my work.” – 20-year-old youth accessing services at One Roof
“The support from the Community Foundation has been instrumental,” says Mara Fraser, Communications and Fundraising Coordinator at Home Base Housing. “This grant allows us to develop a robust business plan and build the partnerships needed to make KYACC a reality. It’s giving us the resources to connect with community partners and design programming that truly meets the needs of Kingston’s youth.”
KYACC is one part of the broader Kingston Youth Services Hub (KYSH), which serves as a coordinated access point connecting youth to a wide network of community supports. “What makes this initiative so strong is our collaborative approach,” Mara explains. “Through KYSH and One Roof, we work alongside partners like YWHO, United Way, Kingston Community Health Centres, Maltby Centre, Resolve, and others to ensure youth can access the right supports at the right time. KYACC will add to this continuum by offering creative, culturally inclusive programming that complements the essential services already in place.”
The center is expected to benefit approximately 479 individuals annually, helping them heal and thrive through creative expression while building stronger community ties. “Our goal is to create a space where youth feel connected, valued, and empowered to shape their own futures,” Mara adds. “We want KYACC to be a place where young people can not only access services but also showcase their talents and connect with the wider community.”
With an anticipated opening in March 2026, the Kingston Youth Arts and Culture Centre represents a bold step forward in supporting Kingston’s most vulnerable youth—helping them find hope, healing, and belonging through the power of creativity and community.