Choices for Youth Inc

Choices for Youth Inc is a Canadian nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable youth, primarily aged 16 to 29, in securing stable housing, employment, education, and improving family stability and health. Established in 1990 and based in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, the organization has been actively addressing youth homelessness and related challenges for over 25 years.

Mission and Vision

The organization envisions a world free of social and economic barriers, where young people feel able and encouraged to pursue their aspirations and potential. Its mission focuses on creating supportive spaces, programs, and social enterprises that help vulnerable youth transition towards stable and independent living.

Approach and Operating Principles

Choices for Youth applies a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and harm-reduction framework combined with an empowerment philosophy and a Housing First for Youth model. This approach prioritizes meeting young people where they are, promoting flexibility, and innovating services to dismantle barriers faced by youth. Key principles include:

• Harm Reduction: Assisting youth in making choices that reduce harm in the moment, building relationships to support healthier decisions over time.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborating to address underlying mental health, addiction, and behavioral challenges faced by youth, emphasizing trust-building and non-judgmental support.
• Youth Empowerment: Engaging youth in program evaluation and decision-making to ensure responsiveness and inclusivity.

Programs and Services

Choices for Youth operates four main program areas:

• Housing: Utilizing a Housing First approach to secure stable living arrangements.
• Employment: Providing job skills training and employment opportunities.
• Family Support: Aiming to improve family stability.
• Health and Outreach: Focusing on physical and mental health supports.

The organization also runs social enterprises that create real job opportunities for youth while generating revenue to sustain programs.

Impact and Scale

In fiscal year 2023, Choices for Youth served approximately 1,347 young individuals. The charity reported program expenditures of $8.8 million. Subsequent to the year-end, it received $4.3 million in new funding from government and philanthropic sources, facilitating expansion plans.

Expansion Efforts

Choices for Youth is expanding its facilities, including opening a renovated building on LeMarchant Road in St. John's in summer 2024 to house more social enterprises, partner organizations, and a training school. It aims to provide job skill training for up to 100 youth annually.

Additionally, the organization plans to broaden its reach to rural communities by establishing up to eight new locations, with two initial sites designed to offer hot meals, primary care, substance use and addiction support, and mental health counseling for youth who currently have limited access to services.

Recognition and Accountability

Choices for Youth is a registered charity under the Canada Revenue Agency with the business registration number 130889942RR0001. It is recognized for its financial transparency and community impact, holding a three-star rating by Charity Intelligence Canada. The organization emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion in its culture and service delivery.

This comprehensive approach by Choices for Youth Inc demonstrates its commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering resilience among at-risk youth in Newfoundland and Labrador through innovative and compassionate support systems[1][2][3][4].