The Youth Prevention Team is responsible for individual supports to young people through culturally safe and strengths-based strategies. The Team supports young people in their holistic wellness, to enhance their family and cultural connections, and build their capacity in their journey towards adulthood.

The Youth Prevention Team works with young people and community resources to plan individualized and group activities that promotes connections, including community cultural events and outings on the land. The Youth Prevention Team prioritizes routine check ins and supports with young people on the land and out in the community rather than in-office. This approach was successful in establishing important and ongoing connection with our young people.

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We take opportunity to strengthen supports with key family members to ensure a safe place for young people within the family home or community as we know young people, particularly those impacted by the child welfare system, are commonly transient. It was important to create plans with young people to establish safety and natural supports in collaboration with family members and community.

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Youth Outreach 

This program focuses on building relationships and connections with our young people through sharing of resources, harm reduction kits, and meals once a month at our Collaborative Outreach BBQ. We work in partnership with School District 58, Ask Wellness, Scw’exmx Community Health Services Society, Nlaka’pamux Health Authority, Merritt Community Policing, and Nicola Valley Restorative Justice Services Society. We are expanding this program to include helping at local schools with cultural events, hiking on the land, and sharing teachings from our Elders.  

Youth Transition 

We work supporting young people transitioning into adulthood by connecting them with life skill opportunities, such as education or employment training. This works to build connections and ties to communities or nations from Elder support or community or family functions. 

Youth Wellness 

We provide direct one-on-one support with youth wellness plans curated by young people and supported through holistic and cultural approaches. The youth wellness workers then support the young person by equipping young people with knowledge and tools to help manage mental health and wellness through building relationships and providing a knowledge-base of community resources to access help