Sharing ‘many success stories’ with United Way support of youth

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This article was published 24/12/2021 (1414 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed struggles, inequalities and vulnerabilities for many, including youth. There’s an organization at 125 Sherbrook St. that works hard to ensure no one is left behind in what’s been a time of amplified isolation.

Offering a range of services, Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) gives young people (under 30) a space of support and hope and help with basic needs, mental health and addictions, housing, cultural supports, primary health or education and training.

On weekday afternoons, there’s a drop-in space where youth can access coffee, a hot meal and someone to talk to, and an outreach delivering mobile services to folks on the streets of Winnipeg.

“I think that it’s always really amazing to see participants we serve reach their goals,” says Caryn Birch, director of education and training. “We are so supportive of each other. We are doing really tough work, so we quickly and easily become a family.

“In our program we have seen people go through all departments. A few individuals in particular were sleeping in bus shacks. We supported them, with housing, clothing, mental health and wellness supports, and they transition into our program.”

One of those young people is currently working on becoming a butcher, and is employed in a local grocery store.

“He is one of the individuals donating some of his extra money to RaY,” says Birch. “We talk a lot about how difficult it is, but it’s also important to share the successes. There are many success stories.”

An agency partner of United Way Winnipeg, RaY programs help develop skills and understand the resources to get a job and keep it.

The Grow Ops (growing opportunities) department assists youth with accessing identification, developing resumés, volunteer and paid work experiences, getting on or off EIA, connections to school or training programs and drop-in training workshops, as the pandemic allows.

The Level Up! employment and training program is a paid training program with two streams.

Launch Pad is a nine-week paid training in an alternative classroom environment focused on building life skills to help participants in their future career. Lift Off is a seven-week paid training in an alternative classroom that teaches the skills required to secure a job.

Both programs are followed by a supported work placement of up to 16 weeks where participants continue learning on the job.

“With a lot of our youth that we are seeing, especially in the last two years with the pandemic, access to safe affordable housing has become significantly more difficult. Many are vulnerable,” Birch says.

“We don’t ever want to put them in situations where they could be taken advantage of. We are seeing more and different drugs on the street. Our street outreach has been incredible.”

With 13 people on the team, supporting over 30 people in their classrooms, Birch says they’re lucky to be connected with different industries, including automotive, retail, food services, trades such as roofing and construction, and daycares. RaY is always looking for employers willing to engage with participants.

“The United Way has been a long-time funder; it’s really helped us sustain what we are able to do. We have a lot of flexibility in how our services can operate, based on our participants’ needs, rather than what the funder wants. The United Way was absolutely an exceptional funder during COVID, to help us get through. There were so many unknowns at the beginning of COVID. It took away one worry that everybody had,” Birch says.

The annual United Way Winnipeg fundraising campaign has raised $18.4 million so far.

“Winnipeggers are really coming together for our community — and at a time when front-line agencies are overwhelmed with people seeking food, basic needs like diapers and shampoo, and mental health support,” said Greg Bieber, volunteer campaign chairman for United Way. “It’s so heartening to see how much Winnipeggers care.”

Going on their 26th year, RaY continues to grow.

There were 14 staff when Birch began working there less than four years ago, and there are 56 now. “We’ve never had to advertise our services, it’s all word of mouth through the youth.”

RaY appreciates donations of new underwear, new socks, and winter clothes. Monetary donations fund programming for youth, including food and supplies for drop-ins.

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