Empowerment Support
Posted by Ken Germain
on Oct 09, 2015
Karen Good from YESS gave a good presentation on Tuesday. She gave us a good idea of what some of the challenges they face helping the youth in our city. 445 teens and young adults were eachhelped last year. Many are homeless or between houses. 2/3 boys has been an ongoing stat since starting up in 1982 when 16 was the top age allowed. Now rather than instant welfare, the youths are now 15-21 years old in the resident program and up to 24 for day programs.
A common thread includes fetal alcohol syndrome and extreme poverty. The bus ticket program has helped in many ways including having a bus ticket rather than being ticketed and going to court and having a record for spending money on food rather than the bus ticket.
A 7 million dollar budget is covered 30% by governments and the fund raising is getting tougher in these tough times, which produce more family instability and fall out including the children.
Helping by providing mental health, nutrition and positive reinforcement, as well as water and things like bus tickets and job opportunities has been their way of turning these young people into valuable members of society.
A tough road, but YESS is making it smoother thanks to dedicated, thoughtful staff.
