A Youth Emergency Shelter, the second of its kind in the province, is coming to the Cowichan Valley later this year.
The YES pilot project is designed to help young people deal with issues such as family conflict, housing instability, homelessness and mental health and substance use.
The shelters provide critical connections to additional support for youth 15 to 18 years old and will be available day and night.
They also offer safe accommodation for up to two weeks at a time.
No previous experience with government care is needed to access these services.
In addition to wrap around supports, the shelters provide shower facilities, laundry, kitchen and sleeping spaces, but the number of beds it will have remains undetermined.
Cowichan Tribes has played a leading role in the project as Indigenous youth are overrepresented among vulnerable youth and the number of lives lost.
Chief Cindy Daniels says in 2023, Cowichan Tribes Council approved the recommendations of its Opioid Crisis Response Working Group, “including taking actions to support our youth.”
Daniels says they are pleased their contributions and ongoing collaboration with local service providers has been instrumental in bringing the YES project to the Cowichan Valley.
She says the Cowichan Youth at Home team has been working tirelessly to turn this emergency shelter concept for youth into a reality.
“This collaborative model will allow for greater access to services and supports for Quw’utsun, other Indigenous, and non-Indigenous youth in our region. I raise my hands to the Cowichan Youth at Home team who have been working tirelessly to make this emergency shelter for youth a reality.”
Lise Haddock, Executive Director of the Cowichan Valley branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association says the need to protect at risk youth has been a long-time priority.
“A door has been opened where youth can enter a space that is youth-centred, safe, supportive, and makes every effort to meet their needs. We are honoured to be a part of a community of caring that stands besides our youth by honouring their vision, and collectively opening a door that was created through their vision, their needs and their voices.”
Minister of Children and Family Development, Grace Lore, says “substance use, exploitation and homelessness are issues that affect our most vulnerable youth at a far greater rate” and the Youth Emergency Shelter will provide real, meaningful support.
The Cowichan YES is funded by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in a cross-ministry collaboration with MCFD.
The shelter is part of a YES services model being piloted by MCFD and the Cowichan shelter will be the second pilot site of its kind in the province.
