History
Supporting Young Women and Their Children Since 1982
Our founder, June Callwood, was a celebrated writer and a passionate activist determined to make the world a better place. In 1982, she founded Jessie’s - The June Callwood Centre for Young Women (formerly Jessie’s Centre for Teenagers) in downtown Toronto at 154 Bathurst Street. Originally, the centre was run by only 4 staff and a few volunteers. In 1991, Jessie’s moved to our current location at 205 Parliament Street, a building containing 16 self-contained housing units. Today, with 20 staff members and 20 regular volunteers, we pursue a holistic and sustainable approach, recognizing the importance of economic and social conditions for health outcomes.
“Never in my life have I done anything I am more proud of [other than my family] than Jessie’s”
— June Callwood, Founder of Jessie’s