11 - Broadway Youth Resource Centre
Opened in 1999, the Broadway Youth Resource Centre (BYRC) is a grassroots collaboration between nine social service agencies, three levels of government, a university and a college. This multi-agency model provides a continuum of services to at-risk youth aged 12 to 24, through a storefront location. At the core of BYRC is a drop-in Resource Room, accessible to all, and an opportunity for staff begin a dialogue with transient youth who walk into the centre. Youth have access to free computers, phones, fax machines, workshops, activities, celebrations, employment and housing information, medical services, and food. The approach at BYRC is to combine principles of community development with a population health approach, with the youth encouraged to take responsibility for their own lives and environments. Support services and ‘fun’ activities are geared to promote physical, emotional and psychological health. Spiritual and cultural well-being is addressed through weekly Aboriginal programming, talking circles and ceremonies.
BYRC is actively involved in the local community, bringing together at-risk youth, the Vancouver Police Department, and Aboriginal youth serving agencies; involving youth in a street ‘cleanup’ in nearby laneways and streets; partnering with a local business and community group and the City of Vancouver to open a public park behind the resource centre; and creating opportunities for youth to volunteer at local events such as the 2005 Gathering Voices Aboriginal Youth Conference. In 2005, BYRC was a leader in initiating a youth driven arts and media gallery in Vancouver, which led to mentoring relationships between the youth and professional artists.
BYRC also now houses a youth employment program that pairs at-risk youth with employers in the construction trades to create meaningful work experiences. A future direction for BYRC is to rebuild the centre to incorporate transitional housing for youth into the facility.
For more info on BYRC: www.pcrs.ca (OPENS NEW WINDOW)
