Youth with complex needs can take STEP to a brighter future

A new program in Yellowknife will bring housing, wellness, and education supports together under one roof to assist youth in crisis who require coordinated, wraparound services while continuing their education.

The Home Base Stabilization Education Program (STEP) is a collaborative initiative between Home Base Yellowknife, Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1), Yellowknife Catholic Schools (YCS), and the territorial government.

The program is designed for youth across the Northwest Territories (NWT) whose complex needs — including trauma, housing instability, mental health challenges, and substance use — make it difficult to succeed in traditional school settings. It’s expected that 30% of participants will be from outside of Yellowknife.

“Every young person deserves meaningful, welcoming access to education, no matter what they have experienced or what challenges they may be navigating,” said Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland said at an announcement in the Great Hall of the NWT Legislative Assembly Building this week.

“For some. experiences with trauma, substance use, housing instability or mental health concerns may affect their ability to learn in ways that work for them. STEP is designed to meet these youth where they are with compassion, flexibility and culturally grounded care.”

STEP will operate within Home Base Yellowknife in downtown Yellowknife and is expected to open in September 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year, serving up to 12 students at a time, stated a release.

Participants may include youth already receiving services through Home Base Yellowknife or those temporarily in Yellowknife from smaller communities for short-term mental health or addictions treatment.

Catholic Schools Supt. Adam Murray said program success will be determined when, “we have students off the street, being in a situation that cares for them.”

He continued: “If you live in the city, you’ve seen our homelessness. You’ve seen children on the streets living in tents and makeshift shelters. This is an opportunity to encourage students of their own volition to leave the streets, to leave a world of chaos and enter care.

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“We have 12 beds right now at home base, and the need is beyond that.”

Murray said the partnership alone between YK1 and YCS is “really exciting in terms of just purely from an educational standpoint,” as they can offer the youth exposure with trades, leadership, and resiliency programs.

“There is so there’s a world of opportunity that we can put in front of a child and help them, over time, reach their goals and their dreams,” he said. “So, this is, again, truly exciting.

Education will emphasize practical, individualized learning rather than traditional classroom models.

One teacher from each board will be dedicated to STEP, providing on-site instruction tailored to each student.

Educators will assess literacy and numeracy skills and develop personalized learning plans to build foundational skills, support credit recovery, and prepare students for re-entry into high school, alternative programs, training, or work.

STEP will also include:

• Instruction will include one-on-one and small-group learning in literacy, numeracy, life and
work skills, and pre-employment or trades exposure.
• Learning will be hands-on and flexible, with progress measured through demonstrated skills and credits earned rather than seat-time requirements.
• Youth will also have access to trauma-informed clinical services, including mental health
and addictions supports, early recovery and relapse-prevention programming, counselling,
and group-based interventions.
• Cultural programming led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers will support healing, identity development, and trust-building, while restorative approaches will help youth reconnect with education and community in safe and respectful ways.

Tammy Roberts is the executive director of Home Base Yellowknife.

She said that over the past few year, Home Base has been working diligently to strengthen supports for youth who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.

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“Despite the many barriers they face, these young people have consistently expressed a desire for educational opportunities,” she said. “I am confident they are ready!”

Some more STEP facts:

• The Home Base Stabilization Education Program will bring together education, housing, clinical care, and cultural supports in one coordinated setting so that youth can stabilize, heal and eventually re-engage in learning.
• Funding for the program is provided under the Magnet Facilities section of the Government of the Northwest Territories School Funding Framework.
• For the 2026 to 2027 school year, the projected notional allocation for 12 full-time equivalent students is approximately $394,956. This includes funding for teacher salaries, education assistant support, and operations and maintenance.

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