We have a long history supporting youth as they transition out of government care. Through two programs, we work with youth to provide an under-one-roof model of support as they figure out what’s next.
Transitions for Youth to Adulthood
We support youth as they transition out of Ministry care
Being an “adult” comes with both freedom and responsibility. But for young people that have been in Ministry care, preparing for life as an adult can be a frightening and vulnerable time, especially if they don’t have a trusted adult figure in their life to count on.
Our Transitions for Youth to Adulthood (TYA) program gives these young people access to a Transition Worker, someone to be in their corner as they figure out what’s next in their life. Like all of our programs at Directions, TYA is youth informed. That means youth get to identify their own goals, knowing that their Transition Worker can help them navigate complicated systems and dismantle barriers.
The TYA program is available to youth 16-19 whose support services from Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (VACFSS) or the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) are coming to an end.
We support youth to:
Find safe, secure, and affordable housing
Explore education and/or employment opportunities
Address substance use disorders and treatment options
Get support for medical issues and/or mental health related concerns
Develop life skills like grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, paying bills, house cleaning, and self-care
Connect to community supports
Obtain identification
Open a bank account and develop financial skills
Build positive relationships
Navigate legal systems
10K Supportive Housing
We house youth as they transition out of Ministry care
Living on your own can be an isolating experience for a young person, especially if they don’t have a support network to lean on. That’s where we come in.
Our 10K Supportive Housing program (10K) gives youth a secure home and access to a team of Transition Workers during their stay. We operate 10 self-contained suites at the Kettle on Burrard for youth ages 16-19 who are involved with Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services (VACFSS) or the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD).
Our facility is truly low barrier. That means youth with substance use disorders or mental health challenges are welcome. Our staff take the time to understand the complex relationships, personal history, and life circumstances that contribute to trauma. With a foundation of trust, youth get to identify their own goals, knowing that their Transition Worker can help them navigate complicated systems and dismantle barriers.
While youth are at 10K, we help them:
Explore education and/or employment opportunities
Address substance use disorders and treatment options
Get support for medical issues and/or mental health related concerns
Develop life skills like grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, paying bills, house cleaning, and self-care
Connect to community supports
Obtain identification
Open a bank account and develop financial skills
Build positive relationships
Navigate legal systems
We also support youth in their transition out of 10K so they can start the next chapter of their life with dignity.
Interested in supporting youth transition out of care?
We believe that youth thrive when they have comprehensive wraparound supports. That means on-site access to all that Family Services of Greater Vancouver has to offer, including counselling, life skills training, and financial empowerment. We’re dedicated to making every young person’s transition to adulthood as successful as possible, and you can help. Get in touch with giving@fsgv.ca to learn more about how you can make an impact.
Thank you for your generous support
