A new emergency shelter for youth in Duncan is set to open this year, providing accommodation for up to two weeks at a time for those age 15 to 18 in need of support.
The shelter, geared to youth who are in crisis or otherwise needing help, will be at an undisclosed site in downtown Duncan provided by Cowichan Tribes. It will be open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.
The location is not being revealed to protect the confidentiality of the clientele.
The facility will provide showers, laundry, a kitchen and sleeping spaces — with the number of beds yet to be determined.
The Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) has received $4 million from the province for start-up costs and the first two years of operation.
“Due to the loss of lives of several vulnerable youth in the Cowichan Valley area, community partners who care and support the youth have been advocating for this program,” the Ministry of Children and Family Development said in a statement.
“Every effort has been taken to support these young people while out on the streets and now there will be a physical space open 24/7 for them to land when needed.”
Cowichan Tribes leadership has been instrumental in the project as Indigenous youth are over-represented in both vulnerability and number of lives lost, the ministry said.
“We are pleased that our contributions and ongoing collaboration with local service providers has been instrumental in bringing this pilot project with the province to our community,” said Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels, noting recommendations of the tribal council’s Opioid Crisis Response Working Group last year included taking actions to support youth.
Lise Haddock, executive director of the Cowichan Valley Branch of Canadian Mental Health, said support for at-risk youth in the community has been “a long-time priority.”
“This announcement of the YES program clearly demonstrates that our youth have been heard, and that they matter,” she said. “A door has been opened where youth can enter a space that is youth-centred, safe, supportive and makes every effort to meet their needs.”
Minister of Children and Family Development Grace Lore said that substance abuse, exploitation and homelessness affect vulnerable youth at a far greater rate than others.
The effort to establish the shelter was led by the Cowichan Youth at Home Team, a partnership involving the Canadian Mental Health Association, Cowichan Tribes, the Cowichan Valley School District, Cowichan Valley Youth Services, Island Health, the Our Cowichan Communities Health Network and the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Funding is from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
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