Columbus House

What Columbus House does

Columbus House is a registered non-profit charity headquartered in Pembroke, Ontario, founded in 1988 and operational since 1990 with founding support from the Knights of Columbus, Council 1531. The organization delivers an integrated continuum of five programs serving youth and families across Renfrew County: the Out of Home Care residential program (supportive housing for up to 8 youth aged 16-21 pursuing education), The Guest House (crisis/transitional beds at two Pembroke locations for youth aged 15-25), Teen Compass Educational Program (skill-building for ages 15-21 running September–June), Young Parent Support Program (YPSP, fully mobile outreach for pregnant and parenting youth aged 15-25), and licensed Childcare services at two full-time sites in Pembroke and Renfrew, with priority infant access for YPSP participants.

The childcare operations are licensed under Ontario's Ministry of Education and accredited within the Canada-wide Early Learning & Childcare program using the Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) framework, with program delivery supported by the HiMama childcare management platform. Service delivery combines a 24/7 residential facility, mobile outreach across Renfrew County East and West, fixed-site licensed childcare, and community-based educational programming. Intake, referrals, and partnership flows run through Renfrew County school boards, the Community Resource Center, YWHO, healthcare providers, and social services agencies, while internal staff (executive director, directors, supervisors, counselors, facilitators) coordinate cross-program case management.

Columbus House generates revenue through a diversified mix of Ministry of Education childcare subsidies, federal funding via ESDC, charitable donations processed through CanadaHelps, annual fundraising events (Wine, Beer & Food Tasting Gala, Baby Bottle Fundraiser), corporate sponsorships, and grants from United Way East Ontario and 100 Women Pembroke/Petawawa Community Foundation. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants; childcare is subsidized through the County of Renfrew. The organization has cumulatively served over 2,500 youth since opening, and operates as an independent charity governed by a Board of Directors.

Name

Columbus House

Legal name

Columbus House

Website

https://columbushousepem.squarespace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Columbus House is a Pembroke, Ontario non-profit delivering an integrated continuum of youth programs — supportive housing, crisis beds, education, mobile parenting support, and licensed childcare — to vulnerable youth and young families across Renfrew County since 1990.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child Care Services (62441)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ), Community & Nonprofit Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAD), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Youth supportive housing
• Crisis transitional beds
• Young parent support
• Licensed childcare services
• Educational skill building

Headquarters

HQ city

Pembroke

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Columbus House receives government funding from the Ministry of Education for childcare programs operating under the Canada-wide Early Learning & Childcare framework.
2. Charitable Donations: As a registered charity, Columbus House relies on charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support programs and services.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including the Wine, Beer & Food Tasting Gala and Baby Bottle Fundraiser generate revenue for specific programs like YPSP.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses sponsor the annual gala through 50/50 raffles and silent auctions, contributing financially to organizational operations.
5. Grants: Columbus House receives grants from organizations including United Way East Ontario (Federal Government's Community Services Funds) and 100 Women Pembroke/Petawawa Community Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Columbus House is a non-profit charitable organization providing a coordinated suite of youth support programs in Renfrew County, Ontario. Its core offerings include the Out of Home Care residential program (supportive housing for ages 16-21), crisis transitional beds at The Guest House (ages 15-25), the Teen Compass Educational Program (ages 15-21), the Young Parent Support Program providing mobile outreach for pregnant and parenting youth (ages 15-25), and licensed childcare services for infants through preschoolers under the Canada-wide Early Learning & Childcare program.

Product overview

Columbus House is a non-profit organization offering a coordinated suite of youth support programs in Renfrew County, Ontario. The portfolio includes five interconnected programs: the Out of Home Care residential program (supportive housing for youth 16-21 pursuing education), The Guest House crisis/transitional beds (for youth 15-25 facing homelessness), the Teen Compass Educational Program (skill-building for youth 15-21), the Young Parent Support Program (mobile outreach for pregnant/parenting youth 15-25), and licensed Childcare services (for infants through preschoolers, with priority for YPSP participants). Programs are designed to work together as a continuum of care supporting youth through housing, education, parenting skills, and childcare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Out of Home Care Program (River Road Residence) A voluntary co-ed residential program for youth aged 16-21 providing supportive housing at the River Road residence in Pembroke while they continue their education (high school, alternative school, Teen Compass, college, or apprenticeship). Residents learn independent living skills and employment preparation. The program closes December 24-27 for family reunification.
• The Guest House Crisis/transitional beds for youth aged 15-25 in Renfrew County who are experiencing homelessness or at risk and living in unsafe conditions. Provides intake services and connects youth with YWHO services, employment, education, and assistance with court processes. Intake can be completed within 2 days (Monday-Friday).
• Teen Compass Educational Program A skill-building educational program for youth aged 15-21 focused on social skills, relationships, and employment readiness. Runs September to June, Monday-Thursday 11am-2pm. Transportation within Pembroke, lunch, and program materials provided at no cost.
• Young Parent Support Program (YPSP) A mobile outreach program for pregnant and parenting youth aged 15-25 providing individualized instruction on parenting and life skills through in-person sessions in clients' own communities, virtual workshops, and community presentations across Renfrew County. Helps connect students with online high school courses toward OSSD completion in partnership with Renfrew County school boards.
• Childcare Program Licensed early childhood learning program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers operating at two full-time sites in Pembroke (73 Renfrew St) and Renfrew (140 Munroe Ave E), including a before/after school program at Central Public School. Part of the Canada-wide Early Learning & Childcare program. Priority for infant care is given to parents participating in the Young Parent Support Program. Subsidies available through County of Renfrew.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,500 youth supported since 1990
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YWHO (Youth Wellness Hub Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuest House staff connect youth with YWHO services as part of the intake and transition process. YWHO provides comprehensive youth wellness services in Renfrew County.
• OAYPA (Ontario Association of Young Parent Agencies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbus House is a member of OAYPA, an association of professional organizations working together to champion early intervention, prevention and treatment services for young parents, their infants and children across Ontario.
• Community Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with the Community Resource Center, YPSP offers specialized support for prenatal clients including nutrition services and weekly virtual discussion groups.
• County of Renfrew Child CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbus House childcare staff works closely with The County of Renfrew Child Care and Integration department to provide early childhood education services under the Canada-wide Early Learning & Childcare program.
• Renfrew County School BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYPSP helps students connect with Renfrew County school boards to enroll in online high school courses, ensuring continued progress toward completing their OSSD. Residents attend local high schools.
• Play It Again Sports PembrokeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssisted in stretching funding by providing sports equipment (helmets, skates) for young families participating in YPSP outdoor programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Kids Help Phone: National 24/7 e-mental health service for youth in Canada. Touches Columbus House's youth-crisis clientele (Guest House youth are connected to similar wellness services) without operating residential or community programs.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA Canada: National federation providing childcare, before/after-school care, youth employment, and newcomer programs from coast to coast. Direct overlap with Columbus House's licensed childcare and Teen Compass skill-building offerings, but at national scale.
• YWCA Canada: Federated national nonprofit operating shelter, housing, and youth/family programs including licensed childcare in many local associations. Comparable through childcare, youth housing, and family/parenting support offerings, though with a broader women-and-girls focus.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: Federation of 750+ clubs delivering youth development, education, and life-skills programming. Comparable to Columbus House's Teen Compass skill-building and youth education mission, though delivered through club-based group settings rather than residential/outreach models.

Direct peers

• Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth: Toronto-based nonprofit delivering shelter, transitional housing, and education/employment programs for youth 16-24, including a licensed childcare centre. Closely mirrors Columbus House's integrated youth housing-plus-education model and childcare offering.
• Covenant House Toronto: Canada's largest agency serving homeless and at-risk youth 16-24, providing residential care, education, and employment programs. Directly comparable to Columbus House's Out of Home Care and Guest House crisis services, though at much larger scale and in Toronto.

Regional players

• Sun Youth Organization: Montreal-based nonprofit providing youth services, food banks, and family support comparable to Columbus House's child-and-family community services. Comparable in scope but serves a different (Quebec) geography.
• Boys & Girls Club of Eastern Ontario: Regional club serving Renfrew and Eastern Ontario with youth development, before/after-school care, and summer programs. Most geographically proximate peer to Columbus House, with comparable licensing and youth programming in the same market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Columbushousepembroke

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbus House