A youth peer home will be opening in Battleford Nov. 1.
Run by Youth for Christ Regina, the peer home is similar to a group home in that it will house youth referred by Social Services in a supportive environment, but different in that it will be more youth focused than staff focused.
"It's a peer home model, meaning that the youth have a say as to where they're placed and our goal is to develop them into independent youth and independent adults. We're not a warehouse, we act as parents in their lives," explained Regina Youth for Christ Executive Director James Clifford at a meeting of Battleford Town Council Oct. 17.
The home will host five 12- to 16-year-old boys in a high supervision, nurturing environment. At least one staff will always be at the house, and one will always be on call. Though youth will be referred to the house by Social Services, boys have to apply specifically to be at the house. Once there, the environment provided by the home is intended to move the youth there towards independence.
Clifford responded to concerns about having at-risk youth in the community by arguing youth in the homes are highly supervised and kept busy, in the house and in the community. Furthermore, the peer home run by YFC in Regina has had no problems, so far. In fact, youth in Regina have mowed lawns and otherwise contributed positively to their community.
Clifford explained the Battleford location was a decision by the provincial government and had nothing to do with their organization.
The home had already been approved as a Residential Care Facility Type 1 over the summer, and YFC Regina visited town council Oct. 17 to get the facility approved as a Residential Care Facility Type 2. A Type 1 facility can have only a maximum of four beds, a Type 2 facility can have five or more. Nevertheless, YFC stated that it has no intention of increasing the number of beds over five.
