YOUCAN Youth Services is a charitable organization dedicated to empowering youth so they have the knowledge, support, and skills to remove themselves from at risk lifestyles. We assist young people in transitioning into employment or back into education. Our mission is “to help young people out of harm’s way and onto a path of economic independence."
Daily our staff are dealing with youth homelessness, transient lifestyles, school issues, lack of employment, court support, addictions, gang involvement, and mental health. Our staff is committed to building strong relationships with youth while advocating ways to successfully remove themselves from high-risk lifestyles. The work we do is crucial in the lives of the youth we work with.
We believe in a 50/50 attitude and a relentless approach when working with young people: we will work very hard for them, but we expect them to work hard for themselves. Our end goals for the youth we work with are to stay in school, return to school, or secure and maintain employment. If these end goals are achieved, this will ensure economic independence in the future for the youth of our programs. We assist the young people who enter our programs in becoming READY-WILLING-ABLE.
READY-WILLING-ABLE
Select a phase below to learn more.
Relentless Outreach Key Activities
- Introduction to Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- Relationship building
- Community connecting
- Service planning
- Implementing service plan
- Advocating for youth supports
- Introduction to Verto Project, employment, or education
- Transitioning to Verto Project, employment, or education
Suitability for Relentless Outreach
- 16-24 years old
- Housing (Safe place to go)
- Mental health awareness
- Substance use awareness
- Justice involvement awareness
- Personal and professional supports awareness
Verto Project Key Activities
- Working towards full-time employment or education
- Start or continue relationship with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- Attend the Verto Project full-time for 9-weeks - Monday to Friday - 9am-4pm
- Participate and engage in pre-employment and personal development programming
- Community development activities with volunteer opportunities
- Create and review service plan with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- Transition to employment or education
- Enter into a 12-week full-time supported paid quality employment opportunity with an employer that fits the needs of the youths employment goals or return to school
Suitability for Verto Project
- 18-24 years old
- Stable housing
- Mental health management
- Substance use management
- Justice involvement management
- Supports management (personal and professional)
Quality Employment Opportunity Key Activities
(APPROXIMATELY 6-12 MONTHS)
- Continue relationship with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- Participating in a 12-week supported paid quality employment opportunity thru the Verto Project
- Review service plan with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- 6-12 month follow up with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
Suitability for Quality Employment Opportunity
- 18-24 years old
- Stable housing
- Mental health management
- Substance use management
- Justice involvement management
- Supports management (personal and professional)
Road to Work Key Activities
(APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS)
- Start relationship with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- Participating in the 4-week Road to Work Program
- Participate in a 12-week supported work placement in the Road Construction industry
- Create and review service plan with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
- 3-month follow up with Relentless Outreach Youth Worker
Suitability for Road to Work Program
- 18-26 years old
- Stable housing
- Mental health management
- Substance use management (Ideally pass a drug test)
- Justice involvement management
- Supports management (personal and professional)
- Driver’s License an asset