45845 Wellington Avenue Chilliwack, BC V2P 2E1

WHAT IS HOMELESSNESS? Definition: “the situation of an individual or family without stable, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it.” (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2012) Forms of homelessness: unsheltered; emergency sheltered; provisionally accommodated; at risk of homelessness. (Canadian Homelessness Research Network, 2012)

WHO ARE HOMELESS YOUTH?  Generally equal ratios of males and females.  Overrepresentation of aboriginal and black youth in the homeless community. In Vancouver 54% identified as aboriginal compared to 7% in schools.  56% of homeless youth reported having a substance abuse issue. (McCreary, 2007)  These are trends. Homeless youth represents an incredible diverse population.

WHAT CAUSES YOUTH HOMELESSNES Combination of individual relational factors, system failures and structural factors. Can be one event or a long-term process. System Failures: 40% of homeless youth said they have been in government care before (foster care) Multiple studies in the US and Canada show that between 60-70% of homeless youth have left a family environment where they have experience interpersonal violence: physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse. (HOMELESSNESS HUB) Early exposure to violence and abuse results in low self-esteem, higher rates of depression and suicide, high risk sexual behavior and difficulty forming attachments. (HOMELESSNESS HUB) Parental Substance abuse leads to youth homelessness and youth substance abuse (McMorris, 2002). 1 in 7 youth age 4-17 will experience a mental health disorder that impairs their functioning at home, at school and in the community (Repersentative for Child and Youth, 2013)

IMPACT OF HOMELESSNESS ON YOUTH The longer a youth is homelessness the greater the negative impact on their life: decreased general health, increased challenges in substance abuse and mental health, increased levels of depression and risk of suicide (Homelessness Hub). Over 50% of homeless youth have been threatened, 40% have been physically attacked or assaulted and 62% had been in a fight recently (McCreary, 2007) 55% of female homeless youth reported being the victim of sexual abuse. One in four female homeless youth reported being forced to have sex.

YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY CANADA: 80% of youth homelessness is invisible (Raising the Roof) Estimated that there are 65,000 homeless youth in Canada (CBC-Fifth Estate- No Way Home 2004) Over 75,000 Youth in Care on a given day this is a 65% increase since 1995 when there was 45,000 Youth in Care (National Youth in Care Network) Vulnerable youth self described homelessness as: “lonely”, “terrified”, “unloved”, “no hope”, “expect the worst” National poverty rate of aboriginal children was 49% in 2007 (First Call) BC: 1 in 5 children live in poverty. Suicide is the second leading cause of death of youth years old.

YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN CHILLIWACK 44% of the homeless population in Chilliwack are youth. The highest ratio in all of BC. (Fraser Valley Homelessness Count 2014) Approximately 35 youth per night in Chilliwack are homeless. (Fraser Valley Homelessness Count 2014) Sexual exploitation is very real in Chilliwack.

CYRUS CENTRE CHILLIWACK RESOURCE CENTRE  Open 12pm-8pm everyday  A place for youth to be safe and receive supports  Meal service: lunch served at noon and dinner served at 6:00pm  Youth Food Bank-food hampers  Access to telephones and computers  Support writing resumes, getting enrolled in school, advocacy, referrals to other services Building long-term meaningful relationships with vulnerable and homeless youth

CYRUS CENTRE CHILLIWACK EMERGENCY SHELTER  Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year  Intake available 24 hours a day  Available by self-referral  4 youth beds available  Develop individualized long-term success plan that include sustainable housing EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER  During times of extreme weather (generally under 0 degrees Celsius) Cyrus Centre will expand to include an additional 12 beds  Warming zone

Since opening…..  Opened September 8 th 2014 just over five months  Emergency Youth Shelter provided shelter to 49 youth (approximately 120 youth per year)- 45% Aboriginal Youth.  Extreme Weather Shelter has hosted over 62 youth stays over 15 nights.  Served over 750 meals between September-December  Resource Centre  September: 53  October: 168  November: 314  December: % Aboriginal Youth