Chapter 4 - Effective Programs for Homeless Youth:
What do we know about what works?

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1 - Choices for Youth

This organization was formed in 1990 as part of the aftermath to the Mount Cashel Orphanage affair in St. John’s. From 1990 to 2000, Choices operated on a quasi-group home model which emphasized a greater degree of choice on the part of youth. This empowerment approach was aimed in part at addressing the power imbalance issues which were seen as a factor in allowing the abuse at Mount Cashel to occur. In 2000, Choices began to revamp its housing program from a “live-in” to an outreach model (Supportive Housing Program). This was largely in response to changes in provincial legislation governing youth.

Vision Statement:
Choices for Youth is a dynamic, progressive, youth focused organization that continually strives to improve the quality of service so as to enhance young people’s lives and enable them to meet their goals.

Mission:
A community-based, not-for-profit organization which provides youth with a range of supportive housing options, access to a variety of services that promote healthy personal development and a sense of belonging within an environment of respect, tolerance, peace and equality.

Choices for Youth operates three core programs:

1. A shelter for young men from 16 to 29 years old. Youth can stay for up to one month. Average age is 21-23 years. This is one of several shelters in St. John’s but is the only shelter serving young men. In light of the relatively high rate of addictions involved, Choices follows a harm reduction model in assessing the ability of youth to stay at the shelter.
2. A supportive housing program for youth (male and female) between the ages of 16 and 21. Up to 45 youth at a time are placed in the community with supportive landlords in independent living situations and receive support from Community Youth Workers. The program serves approximately 65-75 youth/year. As defined by program funders and provincial legislation, youth do not continue to receive support beyond age 21. As opposed to programs where exiting the program means exiting the housing provided, because the program accesses the private rental market, youth have the option of maintaining housing beyond involvement with Choices.
3. Under Outreach and Youth Engagement, Choices for Youth directly provides or supports with partners, activities which provide opportunities to connect with and assist youth in developing skills which enhance their ability to live independently.

In addition to these core activities, Choices is also the owner and operator of the Youth Services Centre, located in downtown St. John’s. Along with housing all of the programs operated by Choices, this facility is home to other program partners, including the Community Youth Network – St. John’s, and Youth and Family Services – Eastern Health. The vision for the Centre focuses on the combined ability of partners to develop and implement a greater range of supports and services for youth.

The main educational initiative for the Centre’s partners is the Youth at Promise Challenge Program, which is a basic literacy skills program for youth, designed to be flexible enough to meet the “rollercoaster” lifestyle of street-involved youth. The program serves 14 young people using a 1:1 model. An evaluation has just been completed for this program.

Operational funding is provided through the provincial Departments of Health and Community Services, and Human Resources Labour and Employment, as well as through donations and the Raising the Roof campaign.

For more information, contact:

Sheldon Pollett
Executive Director
Choices for Youth
St. John’s, NL
Phone: (709) 754-3047
Email: sheldon@choices.nf.net