B.C. children’s ministry announces pilot project for vulnerable older youth

VICTORIA – B.C.’s children’s minister says a pilot project with the Vancouver-area YWCA will teach life skills to vulnerable youth as they transition out of government care.

Stephanie Cadieux says the $250,000 Strive program is aimed at helping youth who are between 17 and 24 years old gain the life and work skills they need to become independent.

Starting next month, groups of 10 people will spend 12 weeks in the program learning skills that include financial literacy, time management, decision making and problem solving.

Cadieux says participants will spend the first four weeks attending the YWCA Career Zone Youth Centre, while the final eight weeks will involve personalized coaching and support.

B.C.’s independent children’s representative, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, says the program will offer young people much-needed transition skills.

Turpel-Lafond, who has repeatedly said the government doesn’t do enough to help young people transitioning out of care, was granted an extended advocacy mandate last year the includes youth from 19 to 24 years.