Guiding Principles for Service Delivery Policy
All youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have the right to shelter services regardless of political or religious beliefs, ethnicity, gender, race, age, physical and mental abilities, spiritual identity, family status, immigrant/refugee status, language ability, gender identity, income level, literacy and sexual orientation. Eva’s Initiatives demonstrates this by inclusive and respectful practices in service planning, and a client-focused approach to service delivery.
All of our shelters and services will be sensitive to the unique and emerging needs of homeless and at risk youth, as well as the ethno-specific and linguistic needs of the youth we serve. Gender identity will be accepted as defined by the individual rather than by the perception of staff and/or other residents. Staff must respect and be sensitive to the diversity of youth we serve. Discriminatory and racist incidents or behaviours will not be tolerated.
Program staff recognize the inherent power imbalance in their relationship to the youth they serve. All staff share a commitment to the provision of excellent, respectful, culturally competent, non-oppressive service delivery that takes into account, based on the information available, the lived experience of each youth.
In order to provide innovative and effective programs and services that meet the unique and emerging needs of homeless and at risk youth, all program development will involve consultation and collaboration with youth, as well as evaluation by youth. Youth will also be involved in the development of policies and procedures that impact their stay in our shelters.
Youth who are homeless or at risk have few available resources and the shelter system is often their final option to receive the basic necessities of life: food and shelter. Issuing service restrictions must be done only as a last resort and in the most serious cases.
Staff often has access to detailed and highly sensitive personal information about residents. Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of shelter residents and their personal information is of the utmost importance.
Youth are capable of moving toward increasing levels of self-reliance and self-determination. Staff will work with residents to develop and implement plans to assist them in achieving their goals. Programs are geared to helping youth develop the skills to leave the shelter system and integrate successfully into the community.
Youth who are homeless or at-risk, like other members of our community, may use substances to varying degrees. To increase the accessibility of the system to youth who use drugs and alcohol, and to respond to diverse resident needs, a shelter based harm reduction option must be available to homeless and at-risk youth.
Given the high incidence of family breakdown experienced by homeless youth and youth at risk, and the strong desire on the part of many youth to reconcile differences in their families of origin and/or extended families, service options to assist youth to explore possibilities of family reconnection must be available.
All youth are capable of independence and becoming contributing members of the community. Opportunities for life skills, and employment skills training in career related jobs in a variety of sectors, as well as the corresponding support systems must be available to homeless and at-risk youth.
Eva’s Initiatives is dedicated to offering support and care to clients dealing with physical and mental health issues. Where resources permit, we offer options for the treatment and care of individual needs related to mental health and physical health issues. Eva’s Initiatives endeavours to provide a safe and stable environment for these clients, and displays a commitment to their well-being.
The health and safety of residents, volunteers and staff is of the highest importance. Professional development, training, policies, procedures and regular maintenance are intended to maintain, and where possible improve the health and safety of all people residing, volunteering and working at Eva’s Initiatives.
Shelters are part of a larger network of homeless services and agencies. Collaboration with this network is important to ensure effective and coordinated services. Wherever possible, partnerships with other community agencies will be developed and supported to both build our organizational capacity and enhance our service delivery to homeless youth and youth at risk.
All staff have a responsibility to convey accurate and factual information about homeless and at-risk youth when interacting with people outside the organization to assist in counteracting the common myths and stereotypes that result in many of the barriers experienced by the youth we serve.Eva’s Initiatives relies on the generous support of our community, private, and labour sector partners to deliver our specialized programs. These partnerships are essential to create new opportunities for homeless and at-risk youth to develop self-reliance.
November 2003
