Here at Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited Mission Youth (MY) House, we have seen a significant increase in number of youth learning life skills through the support received from our larger staff team.  Our funding partnership has allowed for 2 new team members which has greatly increased our ability to teach, mentor and guide youth and each youth has responded beyond our expectation.  For example, youth participating in chores around the house has gone from 1 youth to 22 youth who are doing weekly chores!  They are all growing in confidence and are making progress in their self-identified goals at a faster pace.  We have learned greater value in giving youth responsibility which has been empowering them with confidence and momentum.

We supported sixteen youth during this period with their individual substance use and health needs.  These youth are making great progress in this area.  From October through December four youth have been thriving in their sobriety and are now involved in our Volunteer In-Training program to build healthy living habits and motivation in their post-treatment life.  We have found shelter for six additional youth during this time frame and continue to provide supports for them.  Ten more youth are receiving food, toiletries and other basic needs supplies on a weekly basis to support their ability to retain their current precarious shelter situations.  Weekly Family Meals are very popular, the youth participate in the food prep and cleaning, and all sit around the table together for the meal.