Project Name:    Integrated Resources for Aboriginal Youth (IRAY)

 

Project Summary:

 

The Integrated Resources for Aboriginal Youth (IRAY) Project is a youth-driven program that provides educational, cultural, recreational, and Lifeskills services to Aboriginal youth in the community of Prince George.  IRAY ensures integrated case management, coordination of resources, and a continuum on uninterrupted and non-intrusive care and service.  Aboriginal youth within the community have experienced a smooth transition between programs based on individual readiness and support.  IRAY has enhanced the well being of Aboriginal youth by empowering them to address their physical, emotional, spiritual and mental needs.

 

Anticipated Results:

 

Impacts our project will have on youth:

• greater employment opportunities for youth through offerings of training, workshops and certificate courses;
• youth involvement in all aspects of the project will create greater possibilities and open doors to career/education/employment opportunities;
• enhance family and community ties through cultural and lifeskills programming;
• encourage and validate youth voice and decision-making skills in all levels of program development and implementation;
• activities designed to encourage and enhance personal growth, self esteem, self confidence, communication skills, problem solving skills, internet, computer and business skills;
• network with youth from other community organizations and schools via workshops and youth driven activities;
• provide opportunity for youth to travel provincially and across Canada.

Creating/strengthening partnerships within Prince George:

• advocate for, promote and enhance community partnerships;
• network with other community youth services, including local school district;
• improve visibility of program by delivering presentations of IRAY Program offerings;
• annual Spring Youth Conference;
• respond to a need for a process that will showcase the offerings of over 100 local and outlying Aboriginal youth specific resources, our hope is that the Link-IT! Youth Resources Fair will be an annual event with the first one occurring in October 2002.

Improved integration of services targeting Aboriginal youth:

• dialogue and network with local and outlying resources to create innovative programming specific to Aboriginal youth, their families and communities;
• offering of Link-IT! Youth Resources Fair to ensure networking and information opportunities are in place for local and outlying Aboriginal resources.

Positive promotion of Aboriginal youth with community, media, etc.;

• media coverage of youth activities, i.e., break dancing, family night, movie night, pow wow dancing practices and events, website, annual Spring Conference, Link-IT! Youth Resources Fair, etc.;
• provincial youth representation at youth conferences and career fairs;
• youth involvement in community activities as representatives of the program and more importantly as representatives of Aboriginal youth;
• youth driven creation, design and development of youth activities offered in the community.