Youth Housing Year Intensive Program

Youth Programming At SideBySide Children's Village Society (Ages 16-24)

Currently, among the global community, there are concerns for youth and their development as they become self-sufficient adults. A recent document and survey that was conducted among 12 countries indicate that “young people felt that their notice to leave care was abrupt” and that they were “unprepared” for independence (Ageing Out of Care, 2010). Like many other global communities, British Columbia’s youth are facing challenges.

Youth Housing Year Intensive Overview

Our Youth Housing Year Intensive Program helps youth aging out of care continue living in a supported environment, as they develop the vital skills needed to prepare for independence. The program length is determined based on the needs of the youth. Our program provides youth with housing, dedicated support, focusing on life skills, self-management, and overall well-being.

At our Village, youth live just steps away from supportive staff and valuable resources. The Village Centre acts as a hub for incorporating life skills into day-to-day activities and fostering community connections. SideBySide Children’s Village Society is committed to creating a home for every child. Our Village provides a safe, nurturing space where youth are empowered to engage, respected as individuals, and encouraged to contribute meaningfully to their community.

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected] or call our office at 604-574-2964.

Program Status: Limited Availability as of March 2025.

Short Term Goals

Provide a positive and safe network of resources to help youth transition from foster care to independence.
To assist the neighbouring communities, organizations, and agencies, to work towards preparing youth for success.
To advocate for the rights of our young adults and to ensure they are receiving assistance and support while they find stability.

Long Term Goals

To prevent youth from moving in and out of homelessness in inner-city communities.
To give youth a sense of independence and the opportunity to be contributing members of society.
To ensure youth are led down a positive path to success and stability.
To create a sense of permanency amongst our youth population to ensure youth will always have a place to turn, even after support is no longer needed.

Program Stages

The program has been structured around a three stage gradual release model. As the youth continue through the stages, completion of short term goals must be achieved before proceeding to the next stage, where youth work with staff to work towards a new set of goals progressively moving towards the long term goal of preparing youth for independence. When reaching the third stage, youth will work towards graduating and successfully transitioning into their own home.

First Stage: PLANT (Orientation: Months 1-4)+

This first stage in the program is designed to get youth familiar with their environment and surroundings. Important goals and strategies in this stage include: Basic Living Skills 101, a welcome and introduction to the Village and community, establishing goals for the youth to complete by the end of the 3 month mark, and a briefing on the rules and expectations of youth as a member of our Village.
To help with the transition in, youth will receive a gift card to a local grocery store, as well as an ‘Apartment in a Box’ to help with their first few weeks in.
Expectations for youth at this stage include: Rent payment in the amount of $1,300, 3 weekly check-ins with our youth worker, and mandatory involvement with program and therapies as discussed with youth team prior to move in.
Youth who do not complete their goals successfully run the risk of remaining in the PLANT stage, and also run the risk of losing housing.
The suites will come fully furnished with the intention of giving these furnishings to youth once they have successfully completed the program.

Second Stage: GROW (Routine: Months 5-8)+

In order for a youth to reach the GROW stage, youth must have achieved goals set at the PLANT stage. For youth to be granted entry into the second stage, the Youth Team will assess if the youth is prepared to take on the next stage.
When a youth is granted entry, working with our Youth Workers, the client will establish new goals for the GROW stage and review the last three months to see where they may have had success or where they may have had challenges. Rules at this stage also shift, giving youth more responsibility, and more liberties within their suite and community. Youth workers will also revise plans and expectations for programming and therapies based on the needs of the clients.
Rent will remain at $1,300 at this stage.

Third Stage: THRIVE (Exit and Transition to Aftercare: Months 9-12)+

The last and final stage of the program is designed to transition youth into their own suite outside of the Village community and out into the REAL WORLD! Like the last two stages, new goals are established with the youth and a revised plan is set forward. Liberties are granted and responsibilities are increased as youth learn to become contributing members of the Village community. The THRIVE stage also provides youth with rent-ready education and support to ensure they are comfortable taking on housing on their own including searching for housing, viewings, and etiquette around tenant and landlord relationships.
Upon successful completion of the program, youth are entitled to all the furnishings in the suite, support during the move out process, and a release of their savings to help with the move.
Rent will remain at $1,300 at this stage.

Unique Features of the Year Intensive Program

One of the goals of our intensive year program is to set our youth up for success. Some of our features ensure that our youth have ample time and opportunities to succeed out on their own.

Cost of Transition – A portion of monthly rent paid to SideBySide Children’s Village Society will be automatically put into a savings account. Upon successful completion of the program, the savings will be released back to the youth. The money saved will be managed by the youth with support from their Youth Worker to help with the transition into their own place in the community – helping with costs such as rent, damage deposit, insurance, and personalizing the new space. (Example: If a youth is prepared to commit $100 to the savings, they would be leaving the program with $1,200 saved to ease into their living accommodations)
Furnishing a New Home – Each youth who is admitted into the program is entitled to take all the furnishings with them once they have completed the program. This includes everything from a bed to appliances in the kitchen (Apartment In A Box).
Long Meaningful Relationships – Once a youth SideBySide Children’s Village Society, always a SideBySide Children’s Village Society youth. All youth will permanently be attached to SideBySide Children’s Village Society. Even after the completion of the program, Youth Workers stay in touch in case something comes up and support is needed.

Working with our team of staff, youth gain experience and knowledge for learning how to live independently.

Program Application Process

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REFERRING OR APPLYING TO THE HOUSING PROGRAM:

Youth must be aged 16-24 to apply who are in care and/or on a youth agreement or have transitioned from care.
ARE PREPARED AND WILLING TO ENGAGE IN THIS PROGRAM AND ARE READY TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE TO UNDERSTAND AND ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING.
Have an income from employment and/or government funding.
CAN LIVE IN A VILLAGE COMMUNITY CONSISTING OF FIVE OR MORE FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH.
Are willing to take a criminal record/background check. Youth involved or who have had criminal incidents on their record will NOT be considered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Submit application form with reference letter to SideBySide Children’s Village Society by fax (604) 574-2967 or by email [email protected].
Submission will be reviewed by Youth Program Staff and Village Reps.
Applicant will be contacted, or key worker, to discuss interview process.

APPROVED APPLICANT PROCESS

If Applicants or key workers are called and there is no response after 3 attempts, case workers will move to the next applicant.
After Applicant is contacted and they are granted into the interview stage of application, the youth and key worker will meet
with the housing staff to assess whether or not the Applicant is a suitable fit for the housing program.
If the interview is successful, the Applicant will move into the introduction stage of housing, where they will be expected to sign and agree to the Year Intensive Contract which outlines parameters of the program.
Youth workers and team will then arrange orientation and move in.

Download Application Form

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