A local organization that helps young people with housing and other social supports is putting a focus on the need for integrated youth services.
Choices for Youth hosted The Federation of Integrated Youth Services Network’s annual convention at the Alt Hotel in St. John’s this week.
People from around the country spoke to the need to bring health, wellness and social services into one youth-friendly hub.
Choices for Youth Executive Director, Sheldon Pollett says they’ve been involved in this work for nearly 20 years, He says the demand for youth housing and wrap around supports is greater than ever.
Pollett says CFY opened up an emergency shelter for male identifying youth in 2004, every year since it opened they turn away more people than they take in because the beds are full. He says if you were to look at that data, you would think that more shelter beds are needed, but Pollett says the other story is that these youth are houseable.
Pollett say with the increasing needs in the community, more funding is also needed for early intervention and the social determinants of health.
He says we need to slow down the number of people who need to avail of such services. Pollett says over the last 10 years, they’ve seen a rapid increasing number of youth they serve ending up in harms way.
Pollett says they don’t need more emergency housing, the need is for long-term, sustainable and affordable housing with social supports to make a difference in the lives of young people.
