The Youth Empowerment Society came into being in its present incarnation
in October of 1992. Before that date, the Alliance Club (Youth Development
Society) and the Association for Street Kids had been doing work with
"street kids" in Victoria since 1986. These two organizations amalgamated late
in 1992.
At the time of amalgamation, the only programs that existed within YES were
the Alliance Club, GOALS and the Storefront Drop-in. There were 5 staff and a budget
of approximately $200,000. Currently, YES has approximately 60 full and part-time
staff and a budget nearing $2,000,000.
Over the years, YES has continued to grow and develop programs for youth
based on emerging needs in our community.
- 1992 The Housing Support Program begins.
- 1993 Membership in the United Way of Victoria.
- 1994 The first Youth Outreach Team (YOOTS) is formed, pairing a
youth outreach worker and a Victoria City Police Officer.
A second team is added in 1996.
- 1997 The first Annual Mayors Golf Classic fundraiser is held.
- 1997 The first Annual Souper Bowls of Hope is held.
- 1997 The first Summer Options Program operates out of the Club.
- 1998 Purchase of the building at 533 Yates Street
- 1998 Funding is secured for ENERGY: Education For The Next
Generation program. This 6-month program was run again in
2000.
- 1998 The Liaison Worker for Sexually Exploited Youth begins at
YES.
- 1998 ACCESS Storefront School opens at the YES 533 Yates
location.
- 1999 Specialized Youth Detox opens as a part time residential
program.
- 2000 Funding is secured for a part time Life Skills Day Program.
This program has continued to run as funding allows.
- 2003 Specialized Youth Detox goes full time and moves to a new
location.
- 2003 YES is awarded the contract for the Kiwanis Emergency
Youth Shelter
- 2004 YES begins the accreditation process [The Commission on
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)]
- 2004 YES continues to work with the Victoria Youth Clinic and
various funders and supporters to open a Youth Clinic
at the 533 Yates location.
- 2005 Youth medical clinic opens at 533 site
- 2008 Youth Hospitality Training Centre opens at the Taj on Herald St.
The Victoria Youth Empowerment Society [YES] offers services for youth
and their family/caregivers throughout the Capital Region. YES welcomes all
members of our diverse youth community.
YES has grown from an agency which was primarily focused on street
entrenched youth to an agency which provides prevention, intervention,
treatment and education for youth, their families/caregivers and the broader
community. Currently a large percentage of the youth and families who utilize
the services of YES are not inappropriately involved downtown.
Services offered by YES include: youth and family counselling, community
outreach, after hour pager access, referrals, assessments, specialized
interventions, a missing youth system, assistance with health issues,
advocacy, meeting basic needs [shelter, food, clothing, hygiene etc.], emergency
crisis response [including emergency/crisis shelter services], community
development, consultation and assistance with issues related to employment,
housing, education, etc.
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