Support a vulnerable youth
All young people need adults in their lives to talk to, depend on and to assist them in creating positive changes. They all need to feel that they have a safety net, someone to believe in them. They need homes that are safe and nurturing environments. Youth that are hurting need all of this even more. Our Care Homes have provided this kind of support for thousands of youth in our community. They made a difference. You can too.
We are looking for people in the community who will open their home to a youth who is in need of some stability and support in getting their life back on track. When it isn’t feasible for a youth to live with their family they still need a safe place to come home to.
What is a Youth Care Home?
Youth Care Homes are individual homes in the community that provide caring and consistent family environments for vulnerable youth. Youth Care Homes are available for sexually exploited youth, youth undergoing substance abuse counselling and young women who are pregnant or in the early months of parenting, as well as youth involved in the Youth Justice system. Care families provide youth with a safe and supportive home while they access Boys & Girls Club's programs. Each Care Home has a Youth Support Worker available to provide support for the care family, the youth and the youth's family of origin. Currently, the Care Home Program has 30 families in the community providing youth between the ages of 13 to 19 with a safe, supportive place to live for a period of 3 to 12 months.
Becoming a care home is a way to create extra income while providing a much needed resource for children and youth.
Care Homes are provided with: 
- Financial compensation of a tax free retainer and per diem fees
- 24 hour emergency support
- A Youth Support Worker to work with the youth
- Ongoing supervision & support through the Care Home Supervisor
- A team of professionals committed to the well being of youth
- Mandatory & On going training to enhance their skills
Care Homes provide:
- A safe supportive, warm and inviting, non judgemental place for a youth to live
- Adult role models
- Opportunities for youth to practice social skills
- Opportunities for youth to learn life skills
- Meals and necessities necessary to their well being
- An inviting room – must have a window
- Recreational Opportunities, allowance, bus pass & minimal clothing
- Transportation support as needed
- Ongoing communication with the program and a willingness to work with a team in providing best practice and service to a youth
- Respite to stay in your home should you not be available.
Care Home Requirements:
- A clean Criminal Records Check
- A valid Insurance Policy for your home
- Knowledge of adolescent development and related issues
- An ability to recognize stress and demonstrate self-care
- Willingness to work with a team
- Good communication skills
- Ability to be open to feedback, constructive criticism & direction
- Attend regular training both mandatory and ongoing as provided by the program
- Be available for a youth to return home after their school or day program
Interested?
Click here to read more about the program.
To ask further questions around becoming a care family, or to apply, please contact:
April Agate
Supervisor - Youth Care Homes
Phone: 250.384.9133
Email April
Please share this information (copy and paste the URL) with others to help us recruit care homes to support youth in our community.