An organization working with vulnerable youth in Yellowknife says there is a need for a Safe Sobering Site for youth, especially as winter approaches.
HomeBase YK says youth under the age of 19 experiencing homelessness, addiction or both do not have any type of street outreach program or sobering space in the city, straining resources of RCMP, emergency room services, schools and the community in general.
In the City of Yellowknife, there is an Adult Street Outreach Program that will pick up at-risk adults and transport them to the safety of a Sobering Center or to their home, the organization stated in a funding competition application.
“This program does not pick up youth. There is no program of this kind for youth in the city. Everyone is concerned about the youth in our city, especially with the cold winter months that are fast approaching,” stated HomeBase YK in a new funding application.
“Without filling the gap for the crisis our youth are facing, we feel we are not providing them with the wrap-around support that they desperately need.”
The Line Drive Youth Outreach Program has entered the 2024 Field Law Community Fund Program, seeking $10,000 to help establish and promote the program from January to March, 2025.
This program would provide a marked vehicle (which has already been donated) that would be that would pick up youth that are under the influence to drive them safely home or to a sobering space.
HomeBase YK has identified one room in its existing shelter on 52nd Street that will have four beds in it and a shared washroom with the second room in the shelter.
The sobering site will be staffed and open to all Home Base supported youth up to age 24 and other community youth up to age 18.
Staff would actively support youth with their immediate needs and would also give them guidance in reuniting with family or finding other housing options.
Staff would also connect youth to other supports within Home Base Programs or within the city.
Voting has just opened on Field Law’s Community Fund page and closes November 20th.
There are several other worthy entrants from the NWT, featuring everything from an interactive map showing resources for Indigenous mental health providers, to free online counselling services to student athletes in small communities and the continuation of the Délı̨nę Healthy Smoothie Program.
The winner will be announced December 3rd.
