About Us
HISTORYOUR BOARD

The only shelter in Kingston exclusively devoted to youth.

OUR MISSION

We provide a supportive, stable environment, and the tools and life skills to help youth emerge from their immediate or ongoing housing crisis.

OUR VISION

We believe that together we can reduce homelessness by giving youth the means to repair relationships at home or live independently during the transition to adulthood.

Kingston Youth Shelter (KYS) is a non-profit agency, established in 1999, that provides temporary emergency shelter for young women and men ages 16 through 24 years. It expanded its mandate in 2015 and provides transitional beds and life skills programming for youth ages 16-24.

KYS also runs a successful program called Kingston Youth Families, providing support to families to help address family breakdown, youth/parent conflict, and general communication difficulties that may leave youth at a greater risk of entering homelessness.

Additionally, KYS has a Prevention Diversion Worker who supports youth in the acquisition of safe, affordable and permanent housing. 

All services provide a safe environment with in-house counselling services appropriate to reintegrating youth within the employment and social contexts. Particular attention is paid to those determinants of health critical to the support environment needed to meet Kingston Youth Shelter’s mission.

 

It is the only shelter in Kingston exclusively devoted to youth.

Meet our Board

Pam Devine

– Board Chair

Pam is a retired registered nurse with 45 years experience working in various positions in hospitals initially in Toronto, but mostly in Kingston.  Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Toronto.  She has participated in various local and provincial health care administrative committees including staff scheduling, pay equity, workplace health and safety, collective bargaining, recruitment and retention and hospital ethics. 
Pam joined the Board in February 2019 and is committed to assisting KYS fulfill its mission.

Matt Murphy

– Director

Matt is retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and currently enjoys volunteering with Providence Care, Youth Diversion (Board of Directors) and is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Matt is a graduate of Queen’s University, Royal Military College, and St. Lawrence College.

David Armstrong

– Director

Dave Armstrong is a retired Information Technology consultant now living in Kingston.
He has many years of experience working on and with teams of various types and was a volunteer when he lived in Ottawa and Edmonton. Dave moved to Kingston 7 years ago and was looking for ways to contribute to his community when he discovered KYS. Dave has been on the Board at KYS for 3 years and is currently filling the position of treasurer.

Charles Ackerman

– Director

Charles is a Behaviour Science Technology Graduate from St. Lawrence College and is now an Autism Services Therapist at the Maltby Centre Campus in Kingston (Mental Health & Autism Services for Children & Youth). Charles additionally works as a Behaviour Specialist with Bartimeau Inc. providing specialized services for clients within Belleville and Kingston.
Charles has over 10 years experience working as a Residential Counselor and Developmental Service Worker within Kingston, Gananoque and the Peterborough area. When not at work, Charles competes in amateur Strongman and is a Powerlifting Coach with Special Olympics Ontario. Charles was recently appointed as Central Canada’s Event Coordinator with the Canadian Natural Strongman Federation and raises money for the Kingston Youth Shelter. Charles is also a Meal Delivery Driver with VON’s Meals on Wheels Program. 
Charles began with the Board of Directors in 2024 and is passionate about helping the Kingston Youth Shelter fulfill its mission.

Anne Brown

– Secretary

 

 

 

Kathryn Ruttimann

– Director

Kathryn Ruttimann is a Branch Manager at Kawartha Credit Union where she has worked for the past 12
years. She calls herself a transplanted British Columbian, having moved to southern Ontario from the West Coast 16 years ago with her husband and 3 (now grown) children. When not relaxing in her backyard gardening or with a nose in a book you can find Kathryn Ruttimann hard at work at Kawartha
Credit Union where she manages a talented group of Financial Professionals. Kathryn has 30+ years of experience in the Financial Services Industry and cares deeply about helping people achieve their goals and learning about money.
Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary and Diploma in Adult Education from
Vancouver Community College. Kathryn joined the Board of the KYS in 2024 and is eager to assist in
helping KYS to execute on its Mission.

MacKaleigh MacAdoo

– Director

Michael Johnston

– Director

Michael Johnston is a dual-registered Social Worker and Social Service Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). With over 10 years of experience in the developmental sector across Kingston and Toronto, Michael has held roles as a residential counselor, Vocational Life Skills Instructor, Community Connector, and Clinician, providing professional support to individuals in need.
Currently, Michael is pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, with an anticipated graduation in December 2025. Through this advanced education, he aims to enhance his ability to provide impactful support and services within the Kingston community. In 2024, Michael joined the Board of Directors for the Kingston Youth Shelter, driven by his passion for addressing youth homelessness. As a committed advocate, he is dedicated to supporting KYS in its mission to reduce and eventually eradicate homelessness and provide vital resources for vulnerable youth.