What is "street involved?"

Street involved youth includes young people who hang out, congregate, may be homeless or at risk of homelessness, marginalized, isolated, and /or disconnected from community. Many youth who frequent the streets after-hours may be facing some of the following issues:

• Family breakdown
• Family conflict
• Couch surfing
• Exploitation
• Substance misuse/abuse
• Mental health issues
• Gang involvement 

 

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RESEARCH :

Project Reach Out:

PoCoMo conducted two surveys in 2010-2011. The first was an anonymous survey of 140 + youth who access the youth bus. A pre survey was implimented in October of 2010 establishing a base line, and a post survey implimented in November of 2011, tracking the impact of the bus services on the youth we serve of a year. 

 

The second was individual surveys with over 40 youth for one year, over the same time period, tracking their progress as they accessed the bus services. 

 

We are very excited about the results, and the success of the youth we serve. It is a reflection of the need, and impact of the program, as well as the resilience, courage and success of the youth we serve.

For results, click on the following links.

• Overall Impact Survey(PDF)
  
• Individual Tracking Survey(PDF) 
• Drug Use Among youth in the Tri-Cities(PDF)
• Homless Survey(PDF)

 

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Facts:

• There are an estimated 500 youth on the street after-hours in the Tri-Cities Area,
• The average age of a youth on the street in the Tri-Cities is 14,
• The #1 concern is substance use and misuse,
• There are little to no after-hours services in the Tri-Cities,
• Without successful intervention, at-risk and homeless young people are more likely to transition from youth to adult (chronic) homelessness,
• Polysubstance abuse is common with at-risk young people, particularly in the 12 to 17 age group, with young people using multiple illicit substances as well as consuming alcohol (#1 choice by youth).

 

When youth are out after-hours, they are at risk and vulnerable to many of the above realities that the night life offers.

 

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PROVINCIAL

• GLobal TV 2010: An estimated 75% of youth who are downtown Vancouver being from the suburbs. Project Reach Out plays a very significant role in preventing youth heading downtown. Missing children is on the rise and BC has the highest rate of missing children, estimated at 12,000, most are runaways. Project Reach Out provides a successful early intervention and prevention resource to all and any youth after-hours.  

• McCreary Centre Society: Agains the Odds 2007:(PDF)
  • Marginalized and street-involved youth were three times more likely to be physically
    and sexually abused than youth the same age in school (AHS 2003).
  • More than one in three of the youth reported that they had been sexually exploited.
  • More than half of youth reported one or more mental or emotional health concerns.
  • Youth/Outreach workers were identified as among the most helpful professionals.
    

 

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Creating Community

Feeling connected to others can be an integral part of creating a healthy community. Research and our experience with youth at PoCoMo, verifies this.

The 2008 British Columbia McCreary Centre Society Adolescent Health Survey “showed that building protective factors such as family, school and cultural connectedness can assist even the most vulnerable youth to overcome negative experiences, can assist young people to make healthier choices and can contribute to more positive health outcomes for all youth in BC”. Many adults in our community are actively involved with our youth but some of us keep our distance. We can all play a role in helping youth feel more connected our communities by;

• Reaching out and saying hello,
• Greet with a smile,
• Be involved in youth and adult activities,
• Talk to your teen daughter, son, niece or nephew and ask what it is like being a young person today

 

The more relationships we have in our life the safer we feel. The fewer relationship the more vulnerable we are.

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 HARM REDUCTION

PoCoMo is a Harm Reduction focused organization.

"Harm reduction” aims to keep people safe and minimize death, disease, and injury from high risk behaviour. 
Harm reduction involves a range of support services and strategies to enhance the knowledge, skills, resources, and supports for individuals, families and communities to be safer and healthier.  

 

Bc Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Manual. Click Here