Supporting local youth
Resources and capacity needs to increase supports for local youth gets a $10,000 boost from the Island Savings a division of First West Credit Union and First West Foundation Community Response Fund. We're also donating an additional $500 to help kickstart fundraising efforts. Join us and help our youth thrive.
Tell us about your charity and how the community can help your organization
Our vision is that all youth are living healthy, fulfilling lives. We come alongside youth in mentoring relationships to support them as they transition out of care. We hope to provide youth with practical support skills so they may thrive while reducing their presence on the streets during the evening hours. While significant challenges still face too many young women and men on Victoria’s streets, we have observed real progress with our program. The Sanctuary team intentionally plans programs while allocating staff and volunteer time, and as a result, we maximize what the Centre can offer the youth who attend Sanctuary. The specific goals the Centre has are to increase the opportunities for youth to access: employment; counselling; addictions and health service referrals; access to permanent housing; and overcoming vulnerability related to relationship issues.
Our staff and volunteers provide a tremendous amount of emotional and sometimes hands-on support through time spent assisting youth with their day-to-day needs. This includes practical activities such as helping with moving, providing rides to-and-from appointments, going for coffee and locating suitable rental suites. We write reference letters to landlords for the youth and assist them with employment searches.
Extensive research by homelessness and youth agencies shows that the number one precursor to youth avoiding long-term homelessness is when they find consistent, mature, and emotional support. Our experience has identified that the best time for mentoring happens at the late stages of adolescence or when youth age out of foster care. We aim to come alongside youth so that they can more successfully gain independence, access housing, and live in a safe community. Sanctuary receives approximately 3000 visits per year. We see over 200 different youth living primarily in the City of Victoria, Esquimalt, Vic West, and Saanich. We have a list of over 100 youth who regularly, on any given weekend, drop by the Centre.
Donate
https://www.sanctuaryyouth.org/donate