THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Program Objectives

The program objective is to provide multi-barriered participants with a range of life skill services and support to enhance their quality of life and to help them participate more fully in their communities by strengthening their connection to community resources.

Program Description

The G.H.Y.S. Community Assistance Program (CAP) funded by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development provides fundamental support services for participants to overcome personal barriers. Through a participant-centered approach, a Life Skills Counsellor works alongside the participant to develop a personal plan that fosters self-reliance and life skill development in areas that applies to their specific needs. Such related life skills can be any but not limited to hygiene, nutrition, money management, goal setting, education and harm reduction.

Through individual counselling, participants identify their personal barriers and strengths and achieve stabilization in such areas as housing and health. Participants also have the opportunity to achieve personal goals, including career exploration and a personal action plan towards achieving and maintaining employment.

The program delivery is illustrated below:

Program Eligibility / How to Apply

The program is intended to assist participants who have significant barriers to an improved quality of life, and who may be socially or culturally isolated within their communities.

Participants must be currently receiving income assistance and between the ages of 15-30 years of age. Referral from the Ministry of Housing and Social Development is required. Interested candidates should talk to an Employment Assistance Worker for referral information.

Program Benefits

Through linkages with other community services and support systems, participants in the Community Assistance Program are expected to achieve benefits in the following areas:

  • Enhanced self-worth and a greatly improved chance of breaking the cycle of dependency on public supports
  • Improved personal budgeting abilities
  • Increased community involvement
  • Increased networking
  • Commitment to a healthier lifestyle
  • Developed skills that contribute to stronger family relationships
  • Possible enrolment in education or training; movement into employment programming
  • Accepting a volunteer placement

Other supporting services included in the program involve:

  • Access to computers, internet, telephones, fax and printers
  • Clothing and food vouchers as required
  • Assistance with transportation costs and child care subsidy applications
  • Referrals and support in areas such as literacy programs, detox and treatment centres, health services, housing, parenting program, addictions resources, and mental health services

Program Sessions Calendar

The Community Assistance Program does not run according to a calendar or pre-scheduled sessions. Participants are enrolled based on referrals from Employment Assistant Workers. Please refer to the eligibility section for further information.

"Being at Gordon House Youth S.E.A.R.Ch. helped me out a lot. I was struggling with addictions and couldn't find a solid job. Youth S.E.A.R.Ch. helped me to learn new skills and prepared me for the workforce. I also had the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. I came in relatively new to Vancouver and came out with friends, a job, and not the same shy individual I once was. The Skills Link program is an awesome program. I would recommend it to anyone who has trouble with finding jobs because the staff there help out as much as they can."

Participant