“I was a troubled person, never attending school, involved in sexual acts and had no self-esteem. With the resources that I found at YWS I was able to walk in a better direction. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but the staff helped me and taught me that I had the power to empower myself.” Andrea, age 16
The Steps to Success Program offers basic life skills, social skills and/or educational workshops as building blocks to assist youth in finding employment, completing their education and securing independent living. The majority of youth who seek our aid have poor life skills and behavioural issues. They may not have been successful in school. A learning, physical or mental disability may impede their progress.
To address the needs of our residents, the Steps Program offers more than 600 workshops annually. Workshop topics include: budgeting, healthy sexuality, substance abuse, anger management, job search skills, effective communication and self-esteem development among others. Recreational activities are offered as an essential part of skill building. Through activities such as scavenger hunts, sport tournaments, media exercises and recreational sessions, residents are encouraged to practice social skills, team building and problem solving techniques to complete tasks in a more relaxed environment.
Steps workshops are available seven days a week during morning and afternoon sessions to give all 50 youth residing at YWS the opportunity to develop or strengthen their skills. Additionally, youth who have been YWS residents can return to access these services to ensure maintenance of their independent living (i.e. employment resources). In each case these workshops emphasize skills development that will provide a sound basis for transitioning to independent and healthy living.
In addition to the workshops developed by YWS staff, YWS works with more than 17 partner agencies to deliver workshops agencies as:
- Breakaway: substance abuse
- Breaking the Cycle: ending gang violence
- Humber College: healthy sexuality topics
- Justice for Children and Youth: youth legal rights
- Project Humanity: communication skills through theatre
- Toronto Police 23 Division: police and youth relations
- YMCA: pre-employment and gambling workshops
The Steps to Success Coordinator shares her thoughts:
“We have ‘stepped it up’ with the addition of our Employment Program. Our part-time facilitator works with the youth to prepare them for training programs, apprenticeship programs, and employment opportunities. We provide our youth with the support they need to overcome the barriers they may face in the job market.” Laura L.
