History

In 1982, a group of compassionate York Region residents saw the need to create a safe community for pregnant young women who wanted to keep their babies and had nowhere to go. This group, in collaboration with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, opened a home in Aurora for prenatal and parenting young women in need.

When Rose of Sharon became incorporated in 1985, the agency moved from home support to expanded day programs in Newmarket which offered a broad range of free services. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the York Catholic District School Board, Rose of Sharon’s onsite classroom was opened in 1992, offering young women the opportunity to continue their high school education with personalized support.

Today, we continue to offer free programs and services designed to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting youth. Individual counselling, prenatal education, parenting and child development workshops, high school education, family essentials, food security and nutrition support  help youth parents raise healthy children.