At St. Leonard’s we’ve learned that we can help youth realize lasting positive change in their lives by building on their strengths. We’ve also learned that when youth feel included and valued in their families and communities, they are more motivated to make positive choices and to live a healthy, safe and productive life style.
That’s why we created Integrated Community Youth Services (ICYS) – an innovative youth development initiative, which aims to build a network of support for high-risk youth by establishing meaningful links, connections and relationships between young people as individuals, their families and significant others, and the community as a whole. Through ICYS, youth build confidence and self-esteem while learning to increase their social, interpersonal and life skills.
ICYS is flexible and responsive, offering services to youth that address their specific needs. It aims to build on youth interests, connecting them with positive activities that inspire excitement and passion. ICYS staff, including Youth Workers and a Community Development Coordinator, bring creativity to the services we provide, looking for opportunities to create fun, laughter and joy and expose youth to positive peer influence and peer leaders.
Through ICYS, we work to build community networks and connections with social service agencies, community and business organizations. Services offered as part of ICYS include:
- Youth mentorship opportunities to provide friendship, support and positive role modeling
- Community work service placements to provide opportunities for youth restitution
- Parental support, education, parent/teen mediation and crisis intervention to help build strength in families
- Support to transitional housing to help stabilize living arrangements for youth
- Youth development and monitoring services to help build personal strength
- Community capacity development to help build a supportive community for youth
Working collaboratively with youth and the significant others and professionals in their lives, we take an Integrated Case Management approach to service delivery.
How ICYS can help
ICYS offers youth the education and support they need to begin making better choices to lead a healthier lifestyle. Through the development of constructive relationships with their peers, families and significant others, as well as with the community as a whole, the program encourages youth to succeed by helping them develop self-confidence and life skills.
ICYS assists youth in developing:
- Life skills, including cooking, budgeting, health and safety skills
- Social skills, including decision making, problem solving and communication skills
- Relationship skills, including coping mechanisms and anger management skills
- Resources to facilitate independence, including awareness of and skills to access community and government programs
- Employment skills, including resume and cover letter writing, interview skills and job search techniques
Participation
Services offered through ICYS are open to youth in the community of Burnaby. Participants come to us in a variety of ways. Most are referred by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, however, when space allows, ICYS is also open for self-referral and for referrals from other social service professionals.
Funding for this program is provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
