Youth Empowerment Support Services
Posted by Vira Hughes
on Apr 13, 2016
Our meeting on Tuesday was very ably hosted by YESS at their Strathcona Armory location. We were treated to a delicious meal and a tour of their facilities in this wonderful, light filled, old building.
Karen Good, from YESS, spoke to us about their current programs and also gave us a look into the future. They have been in operation since 1981 and currently provide day programs for homeless youth aged fifteen to twenty one years. They had a budget of 1.4 million dollars last year, most of which came from various charities and also from cost recovery pricing for the services they provide.
They operate two residences, one on Whyte Avenue and the other in the West end, in addition to the Armory day programs. They provide social activities, medical services, job search help, counseling and other types of help to homeless youth on the south side of Edmonton. It is estimated that there are about five hundred homeless youth in Edmonton at any one time.
Our donation of ten thousand dollars last year was used to purchase furniture for the lobby area of the building. Our donation of ten thousand dollars this year will go towards the purchase of a van to provide transportation for their clients to and from various appointments.
Starting in May of this year, YESS will also become the south side 'Youth Hub' providing space for services provided by the Government of Alberta, including expanded health care services, Mental Health supports and the Alberta Works job search program. Unfortunately these expanded services do not come with any additional funding, so any additional monetary assistance is welcome.
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