Making the transition into adulthood is a challenge for most youth as it is, even without having to worry about whether there is a roof over their head. The issue of at-risk youth is something that is a concern in cities across the province, including Yorkton.
"It is quite an issue in Yorkton and the numbers that we have through Social Services say that there are well over 150 young people who do not have homes," says Judy Hughes, president of Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth.
In order to combat the problem, a new project has been launched to help these kids begin their lives. Ten youth who are at risk of becoming homeless in the city will be the first residents of two new peer homes for youth, one all-male and one all-female. The homes, which will house youth from age 16-19, recently opened in Yorkton.
The goal of the new initiative is not simply to give young people a place to live, but also to give them the education and skills required to gain employment and move out on their own, Hughes explains. Each home will have a live-in mentor, along with support staff to help the kids who are living there. The homes will give youth access to affordable housing, education and training opportunities as well as mentoring in a peer environment, with the ultimate goal of providing youth the skills to become a valuable part of the community.
The capital costs of the project totalled $854,000. Of that, $773,000 came from a forgivable loan from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, a $51,000 land contribution from the City of Yorkton, and $30,000 from Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth. In addition, the Ministry of Social Services has committed nearly $467,000 annually to Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth in annual operating funds.
These transitional homes are a first for a rural area in the province. Hughes says that volunteers, community organizations and local government made the establishment of the homes possible.
Mayor James Wilson says the project is about strengthening the community, and giving the young residents the things they need to succeed.
"In our community, our future is our youth, and that is what we're looking towards today. We're not providing a simple house, but we're proving a home," says Wilson.
The homes saw the first youth move in on March 1, with two youth moving in, and the homes will gradually take on more residents as the residents and staff get used to the challenges and the program, Hughes says.
