Annual Report 2010 - Resource Assistance for Youth

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Housing The Housing Department has produced some amazing successes throughout the 2010 year. We have found new homes for several youth and assisted countless outside agencies with our services. RaY’s commitment to locate safe, affordable housing has always been the focal point of the department, and we will continue with our mission to keep youth housed for extended periods of time. This past year we launched our interim housing program REST (RaY Emergency Shelter and Transition). Two furnished units, with two more on the way, act as a temporary placement for homeless youth experiencing difficult circumstances. While youth are part of the program, staff will work with each individual towards the ultimate goal; long term stable tenancy. RaY recently received the Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innovation honoring the REST program. I would like to welcome Larysa Jorgenson to the housing team as the new REST Case Manager. Larysa has been with RaY for over four years juggling school while coordinating the Street Outreach team. Her recent Social Work degree along with her wealth of knowledge will undoubtedly have an immediate impact. Additionally, Scott McNicol joins the team filling out the housing lineup as Life Skills Support Worker. Scott will bring much needed energy and intuitiveness to a growing demand for support services. Over the next year, I will continue to advocate for the young people at RaY to help ensure that they have access to safe, affordable housing options and an adequate standard of living. Kerri Scott Housing Coordinator In July 2010, I moved into the position of Homeless Outreach Mentor. This initiative of the Province of Manitoba’s “All Aboard: Poverty Reduction Strategy” aims to provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness or inadequate living conditions through connections to supportive income, housing, health, and social services. Through this role, I have worked closely with my fellow mentors at Main Street Project, Salvation Army, Spence Neighbourhood Association, West Central Women’s Resource Centre, the RaY team, and of course, my partner in crime, Kerri Scott. Kylee Tremblay Homeless Outreach Mentor
Drop-In/Basic Needs It has been one year since RaY moved into the new site and as we adjust to the new space, there have been changes along the way. Although our hours of operation continue to be Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30, we altered our drop-in hours to Monday-Friday 1:00-3:00, Saturday 12:00-4:00 and have opened evenings 5:00-9:00 on Wednesday and Thursday. It was important to extend our hours to fulfill the needs of our participants, and we have plans to extend even further when we are able to do so. In order to meet this need, RaY hired one full-time drop-in worker, a part-time evening drop-in worker, and we are fortunate to have a counselor who volunteers her services every Wednesday evening. The remaining hours of operation are set up for one-on-one appointments and emergency services. This one-on-one time is designed to maximize youth productivity, allowing each individual to set up short and long term goals and to put in place various supports to help them achieve independence. After the relocation, RaY has encountered a new demographic which involves increased mental health issues, primarily FASD, and youth who have exited the child welfare system. As such, RaY looks to improve its ability to respond effectively to this new demographic of RaY participants. The dynamics of the drop-in are forever changing. The youth engage in activities such as Wii tournaments, movie nights, arts and crafts, music jam sessions, baking, board/dice games and soon karaoke. One thing that remains consistent is RaY’s lunch program which is prepared by our youth cook in the kitchen, serving approximately 30 youth per day. Erica Chatelain Drop-In Manger In the past year since moving to our new site, the Basic Needs department now offers laundry machines and showers. The clothing bank has been expanded, and now with the extra space, it has been separated into male and female sections, as well as by size. RaY continues to run a food bank for youth 17 and under and provides toiletries to anyone under the age of 29. The Basic Needs department is available Monday thru Friday 10:00 to 5:00 as well as Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00. Steve Wolfe Basic Needs Coordinator
Page 1 and 2: Resource Assistance for Youth Annua
Page 3 and 4: President’s Report Once in a whil
Page 5: Program Director’s Report It has
Page 9 and 10: Street Outreach During the past yea
Page 11 and 12: Eva’s Initiatives Award for Innov
Page 13: Financial Summary 2010 Revenue 2010

Annual Report 2010 - Resource Assistance for Youth

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