Intergenerational trauma, colonization, and trauma during and resulting from the foster care system contribute to negative outcomes in personal wellbeing for youth. The Child Welfare League of Canada’s Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care outlines ways in which governments can better support culture, spirituality, and mental health in order to improve outcomes in personal wellbeing for former youth in care. They state:
“Every young person should be connected to their culture and spirituality, in ways that are meaningful to them, safe, and at their own pace.”
AND
“Every young person should be provided with timely ongoing services and benefits that support their lifelong health and well-being. These supports need to be offered within a trauma-informed, non-judgemental harm reduction approach, without significant wait times.”
In relation to Housing First for Youth, these standards relate to both “positive youth development wellness orientation,” and “social inclusion and community integration.”
Threshold Housing recognizes the unique experiences of youth who have connection with government care in Victoria. These experiences can lead to increased homelessness, limited earnings potential, increased physical and mental illness, involvement in criminal activity, early pregnancy, substance abuse, and premature loss of life.
Threshold aims to promote the culture, spirituality, and health of these youth with targeted support programs to help improve personal wellbeing. These include:
In-house Counselling services
Trauma-informed and client-centered weekly sessions for individuals
Quarterly group sessions focused on relationships and safe transitions to adulthood
Providing recovery-oriented and healing-focused programs for youth reducing their reliance on substances
Second-stage recovery program focused on stabilization and healing
Indigenous Wellness Advocate
Indigenous Wellness Advocate Sylvia and FNS Worker Genevieve accompany youth to the Red Dress Day walk for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
Community based, trauma-informed support for Indigenous youth in (or on the waitlist for) Threshold housing
Connecting youth with their cultural origins as well as the urban Indigenous communities within Victoria
Connecting youth with healthy Indigenous Knowledge Keepers
Additional supports at Threshold that support the cultural, spiritual, and mental health of youth rise as needed through staff engagement, and include
Connecting youth with affordable dental care and medical services
Trauma informed yoga classes
Other custom-tailored programs to support personal wellbeing
As Threshold Housing Society continues to grow, programs and services are created and adapted to meet the youth needs. Sadly, the number of youth seeking support far exceeds the availability.
Continued support from government and community partners is needed to increase accessibility for youth and support their ongoing personal wellbeing.
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Intergenerational trauma, colonization, and trauma during and resulting from the foster care system contribute to negative outcomes in personal wellbeing for youth. The Child Welfare League of Canada’s Equitable Standards for Transitions to Adulthood for Youth in Care outlines ways in which governments can better support culture, spirituality, and mental health in order to improve outcomes in personal wellbeing for former youth in care. They state:
