Alternative Living - Youth Mentorship and System Navigators

Our mentoring initiative is based on the philosophy of Unconditional Care. Unconditional Care is often used to improve mental health outcomes and is a common alternative to Wraparound services. 

Through the Alternative Living program we match youth with a mentor that is focused on getting to know them, building a relationship with them and is responsible for their coordination of services. This program promotes the consideration of services that are co-created and/or approved by the youth we serve. 

Components:

• Match participants with a mentor
• Provide 1-1 support
• Share strategies for self-management and healthy relationship building
• Empower and integrate youth voices into the intervention planning and design 
• Help youth leverage housing and rental assistance programs for economic stability and well-being
• Coordinate mental and physical health services 
• Coordinate informal recreational activities 
• Promote workforce development, higher education, and social capital for income generation 
• Help youth be more prepared to deal with the challenges they face