Success looks different for every young person we serve. For some, it’s signing a lease for their first apartment. For others, it’s finding their dream job in the mountains. Success could mean going back to school, reconnecting with family, or mastering a downhill mountain bike. The common threads in all these stories? Stability, connection, and dreams for the future.

So how do we measure our impact?

Firstly, we ask our participants. Their experiences and ideas shape our programs day-in, day-out, because they are the experts in what works for them.

Secondly, since 2017 we’ve worked with an independent research team from Royal Roads University. Their work – informed by participants, graduates, staff, volunteers, and partners – helps us understand our impact and adapt our programs to better serve more young people facing homelessness.

“In search of employment”: New Research on Work 2 Live

The latest research from Royal Roads University, published in Children and Youth Services Review, explores what makes a successful supportive employment program. The findings focus on the experience of our participants and the effectiveness of partnerships with local businesses.  We’re already using insights from this research to shape the future of our Work 2 Live program to have a greater impact than ever.

 

Highlights

1. Employment is an important, yet sometimes overlooked, aspect of assisting vulnerable youth in moving to independence.
2. Understanding the multiple perspectives of the avenues into, and out of, homelessness for young people helps ground effective supported employment programs.
3. Strong resilient partnerships that bridge across employment, housing and support provide a better foundation for programs that can foster participant success and a reciprocal success for the community and workplaces they live and work in.

2020 Impact Report

While we were all affected by the pandemic in 2020, it didn’t take us long to realize that the most vulnerable members of our society were most gravely impacted. Our team found clarity and purpose in meeting the growing increasing needs of youth in our programs. We came to see our work as providing a safety net: so youth know they have someone behind them no matter what.

As a result, in 2020 we accomplished more than we could have ever imagined. We secured our own housing, expanded our supportive employer partnerships, strengthened our life skills and support programs, met elevated mental health needs, and supported more youth than ever before through our Work 2 Live program.

Read our 2020 Impact Report to learn more about how we adapted our programs during 2020, as we look towards another year of growth in 2021.