The Generous Contribution of the Mischa Weisz Grant
Youth @ Home Basic Needs Initiative
Thank You to the Mischa Weisz Foundation for the Generous contribution to the Youth Healthy Meals Program.
Nutritious meals and as needed, emergency supplies are provided through a number of community partners as the first line of contact for vulnerable youth with at risk behaviours via the Youth @ Home Basic Needs Initiative. In order for these youth to find stability in their lives to begin to build life skills and healthy living they must find ways to make the critical connections and to access services that will guide them through their mental health challenges, addictions and homelessness so that they can begin to improve their own lives.
This grant has been able to provide a barrier free and non-judgemental approach for youth who are exhibiting high risk behaviours as outreach teams from across a number of agencies provide contact via a healthy and nutritious meal and access to the emergency supplies, they need. Through this program youth have been connected to the appropriate community supports such as, Canadian Mental Health Society, Discovery Youth and Family Substance Use Services, Cowichan Tribes Outreach, The Ministry of Children and Family Development, Primary Care, Hiiye’yu Lelum House of Friendship Aboriginal Designated Agencies, Kw’umut Lelum and Lalum’utul Smun’eem and Cowichan Valley Youth Services.
This Healthy Meals outreach program operates through existing programs with meals prepared and distributed via Cowichan Green Community.
During the late fall and winter months when weather can be extreme and hardships to youth intensified, additional supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, coats, dry shoes and essentials will be offered to youth by the outreach teams while healthy meals are being provided. Youth that are living rough on the streets can be safe and have their basic needs met.
