Indigenous Youth Justice Support Worker Program

The Indigenous Youth Justice Support Worker Program provides support for Indigenous youth aged 13-27 years old who are involved in the criminal justice system, experiencing homelessness, or who are at-risk of becoming homeless. The Indigenous Youth Justice Support Worker plays a crucial role in supporting these youth as they navigate their way through the criminal justice system while facing legal challenges, court proceedings or rehabilitation processes. A key focus of the program is to build a team of supports and services to assist youth who are struggling in the community and help them access the tools needed to rehabilitate their lives. Utilizing community partners and programs in this manner provides a wrap-around and holistic approach to reducing crime and safety concerns for everyone. Awareness campaigns and projects to reduce stigma in the community that individuals encounter is also an integral component of the program.

Additionally, this is the first program that Sasamans Society offers which serves both non-Indigenous and Indigenous clients.

Program goals include, but are not limited to:

• Improving the health and safety of unsheltered homeless people in Campbell River
• Reducing community concerns about public health and safety in areas where unsheltered homeless people were seeking or continue to seek temporary shelter and services
• Improving coordination with health/social service providers, Indigenous organizations and others working on housing, homelessness, and service provision in the community of Campbell River
• Increasing capacity to work with homeless persons and Indigenous organizations towards culturally safe and trauma-informed responses for those individuals
• Assisting in applying an anti-stigma lens and increased public awareness and understanding of causes and responses to homelessness in the community of Campbell River