Project Name:              Pathways to Youth Empowerment, A New Beginning

 

Project Summary:     

 

This is a new UMAYC project. The project aims to build on the existing youth programming offered at the Port Alberni Friendship Centre by: employing a part-time Youth Worker, Program Coordinator and Child and Youth Support Worker; expanding its existing Peer Counselling and Tutoring programs for youth; increasing the hours of operation to provide late night drop-in for youth; and providing a variety of cultural/recreational/cultural activities.

 

Anticipated Results:

Ø      Youth leadership and life skills will be enhanced by providing peer facilitated training;

Ø      Self-esteem and self-worth will be increased through empowerment and recognition of all successes;

Ø      Learning and reading skills will improve through tutoring;

Ø      Healthy development and peer relationships will improve by providing one on one counselling, workshops and healing circles.

Ø      Personal growth and self awareness will occur through interaction with peer mentors, one on one counselling and cultural experiences.

Ø      Stronger cultural identity and link to heritage through traditional teaching by Elders;

Ø      Greater sense of responsibility will be felt do to the ownership and ability to direct their own path;

Ø      Improved nutrition and well-being will become a part of their daily living from the teachings of the elders and opportunities they will have to prepare their own food;

Ø      Reduced health risks such as S.T.D.s and smoking from attending the smoking cessation programs, workshops and by having weekly access to a health nurse;

Ø      Improved emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health by having access to counselling, support and advocacy services for youth;

Ø      Improved access to work experience and community resources through employment counselling;

Ø      Young parents will be able to provide improved infant stimulation and safety through on-site parenting program;

Ø      Provide parenting information and support for young parents.

Ø      Youth will be offered a safe setting to relax and socialize, informal education workshops, life skills course, training for skills building, and counselling referrals by qualified staff and community resource people, peer counsellors, youth mentors, and Elders.

Ø      The project will serve urban Aboriginal youth from 11 to 25 years of age living in the Port Alberni area while maintaining an open door policy of inclusiveness for all the community. 

Ø      Specific activities will be offered for preteens, teenagers and young adults with special outreach to teen mothers and youth at risk who may have alcohol and drug abuse issues in the family, depression and suicide, family violence, break up of a family, problems with relationships, abusive relationships, trouble at school or family conflict.