**** COMMUNITY SERVICES Release
Youth Outreach Programs Expanding
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Nova Scotia youth who are struggling, marginalized and at-risk need more access to supports in their communities to help them grow, develop, stay safe and have more opportunities for their future.
That is why the Youth Outreach program, which delivers services that support the health, safety and well-being of youth, is expanding. The program will be expanded in four locations, three in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and another in the Windsor and Kentville areas. The expansion is part of a $1.9 million investment in child welfare prevention and early intervention.
“We want more young people to have access to supports in their communities,” said Kelly Regan, Minister of Community Services. “Expanding Youth Outreach in these four locations will also provide more programs and services to meet the specific needs of African Nova Scotians and Mi’kmaq, as well as youth in care.”
In the Halifax area, the new programs are located in North Preston and at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, and Leave Out Violence (LOVE) Nova Scotia. The fourth program will be at the Portal Youth Centre in Kentville, which is adding services in the Windsor and Kentville areas to support African Nova Scotian youth. As part of the expanded programming, a youth outreach worker is being hired at each new location.
Youth Outreach supports young people ages 16 to 24 in the community and youth in care, ages 12 to 18. The program is delivered by community-based organizations and responds to needs that may include basic personal needs, housing, life skills development, cultural and personal identity and relationship building.
Quotes:
“This partnership will help urban Indigenous youth access culturally appropriate services, provide supports for self-determination and strengthen advocacy for all Indigenous youth.”
– Pam Glode-Desrochers, executive director, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Quick Facts:
— Youth Outreach has 25 programs across the province and is offered by 17 service providers
— about 250 young people were served last year by seven Youth Outreach programs in HRM
— the expansion could help an additional 100 youth per year
— the expansion will also increase the capacity of existing Youth Outreach programs to provide services to youth in permanent and temporary care, starting in HRM. These services will be available for youth up to age 24
Additional Resources:
Leave Out Violence (LOVE) Nova Scotia: http://www.lovenovascotia.ca/
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre: http://www.mymnfc.com/
Portal Youth Centre: http://www.portalyouth.ca/
Youth Outreach program: http://novascotia.ca/coms/families/prevention-and-early-intervention/services-for-youth.html
