SEALY DESIGN INC.: Interior Design Solutions

A Holiday Feel Good Story —
a charitable makeover of the Second Base Youth Shelter with CityLine

Well, it’s complete! After a very busy couple of months, and lots of help from a great team and many wonderful suppliers, the Youth Shelter has been transformed.

We’ve had a great year here at the Sealy offices and with the holiday season upon us we are thrilled to share the story of a wonderful community project. We were able to rally the team and call in our suppliers to help a deserving group of kids in need. Sealy Design Inc worked with the non-profit organization, Women-in Construction (WINC) to design a new space for the Second Base Youth Shelter.

Second Base is the second largest youth shelter in the City of Toronto, located off Kennedy Road just south of Eglinton Ave. The shelter assists youth between the ages of 16 and 21 years. Located in Scarborough, Second Base is a 56 bed emergency shelter that offers shelter and food, while developing the skills of the youth and encouraging choice. It provides the youth with transportation, counselling, clothing, health support, information and referral to other youth agencies. During the cold months, it also offers 10 additional beds in co-operation with the city wide Extreme Cold Weather Alert Program.

These children (and residents of the shelter) are at risk due to their current family situations and this shelter provides a safe place to give them the support they need for overcoming their obstacles. The shelter was basic and functional, it provided a great space for their residents but it was frankly not a very inspiring environment. Sealy Design and WINC hoped to bring the children and residents of the facility a place that inspired them and compelled them to preserve their hope: Together we did it!

Improving the functional design has done more than simply meet the needs of these kids; it has given them a space to be proud of and feel safe in. Cosy sofas and bean bag chairs provide a spot to curl up and read a book, the fireplace adds a home-like feeling and Corian countertops allow the staff to easily keep everything spic and span.

“The first time I went to the shelter I wasn't sure what to expect. Yes, it was a cold, institutional feeling space but the kids were anything but cold... friendly, smiling faces greeted us and solidified my passionate commitment to this project.” explains designer Sealy. “I'm a big fan of the holiday season and nothing feels better than giving back, especially at this time of the year.”

Marika Goode, the Executive Director for the shelter added, “the youth come down to the new space in their slippers now. They’ve taken total ownership of the space! The bookcases were half emptied within the first 24 hours as they picked books to read and the chalk board was filled with funny messages and cartoons almost immediately. It's such a warm, comforting space now, a space that many have never experienced before.”