Covenant House Vancouver

November 2000

Youth Participation Coordinator hired to develop CHV Youth Advisory Committee

December 2000

Youth Advisory members participate in the coordination of Candlelight Vigil

January 2001

Core group of twelve youth advisory committee members established

January 2001

Bi-weekly youth advisory committee meetings held at 575 Drake Street

March 2001

First Quarterly Youth Advisory 'Zine published and distributed to clients and all CH sites

March 2001

Youth Advisory members coordinate and co-host Street Fest 2001

April 2001

Youth Advisory members begin attending and presenting at All Team meetings

April 2001

Youth Advisory members begin volunteering in donation sorting and clothing room

May 2001

Youth Advisory members attend and facilitate night meeting at CHV Shelter

June 2001

Youth Advisory members begin participating in agency advertising and media

July 2001

Youth Advisory members coordinate and co-host Downtown South Health Fair

August 2001

Youth members have successfully given feedback and direction to all CH departments.

August 2001

YAC changes name to DSV (Downtown Street Voice)

September 2001

DSV begins reporting to Executive Department; DSV presents to Board of Directors

November 2001

DSV hosts community roundtables re: youth services in downtown south

November 2001

DSV attends national conference in Ottawa as keynote speakers on institutional violence; provincial conference on sexual exploitation; provincial forum on affordable housing and Board of Trade Forum with CH Board member re: youth employment

December 2001

DSV assists with the coordination of CSS annual Christmas Party

January 2002

Advisory committee meets weekly; DSV develops a mission statement

January 2002

DSV members recognized as City Planning youth members

January 2002

Funding proposals to Justice Canada and Health Canada submitted for Peer Helper program and youth participation video project

January 2002

Funding proposal approved by Justice Canada - Peer Helper Training begins, DSV purchases new computer equipment and video camera

February 2002

Funding proposal approved by Health Canada - Video production and community roundtables sessions begin

March 2002

DSV creates the Vancouver Local Youth In Care Network

April 2002

DSV/Youth Participation Coordinator gets an office

May - August 2002

Peer Helper training complete - Six of twelve Peer Helpers graduate.

September 2002

Five Peer Helpers are placed in CHV Departments (4-6 months)

November 2002

DSV creates "Outstanding Youth Community Awards" for annual Candlelight Vigil

November 2002

Community Development Assistant hired (youth position)

December 2002

Vancouver Youth In Care Network begins Photo Project with SHRA

January 2003

DSV Youth Participation Video released

February 2003

DSV members present at Board Retreat

Milestones and Significant Events; Youth Participation Strategy
2003 - 2004

June - August 2003

• First addition of The Van 'Zine for Fiscal Year 2003 (YPS Newsletter);
• CHV Board Chair commissions DSV to create an outline of a DSV /Board member mentorship program (i.e., mentoring DSV members to become committee members of the Board.);
• DSV becomes members of the My Circle Advisory Committee through Immigrant Services Society;
• DSV members work with Kinex and Co-Op radio to produce a by-youth-for-youth radio program;
• Two members invited and attend the International Conference for Child and Youth Care workers in Victoria , BC .;
• Participated in the interviewing and hiring of CHV's new Program Director.

September 2003 -

October 2003

• Youth In Care Network begins to hold meetings for youth in and from care ages 16 - 24. Program coordinator actively seeks funding to assist the network to become independent;
• Three members hired to work with the HRDC Youth Working Group.
• YPS Coordinator commissioned to manage a regional study on adolescent male sex trade workers (gameboys project);
• YPS Coordinator joins the Methamphetamine Response Committee (MARC) through VCHA to create a Peer Education program;
• DSV receives a total five requests for information from sister CH sites to assist in the development of new youth advisory committee's.

November 2003

• DSV members create a new Advocacy policy for CHV clients;
• DSV recognizes two youth for the "Outstanding Youth of the Year Awards" presented at the Candlelight Vigil.

December 2003

• Eight DSV members volunteer 12 hours to sort and organize backpacks for the CSC annual Christmas Party.

January 2004

• Two youth are hired through the YPS to research and write survival manuals for Rights of Passage and Independent Living (the Welcome Wagon Project).

February 2004

• DSV members present a workshop on developing youth-driven initiatives at the provincial youth in care network conference.

March 2004

• DSV celebrates 3 rd Year Anniversary & 100 th Meeting;
• Members of DSV commissioned by the City of Vancouver to coordinate and co-host the Granville Youth Stakeholders committee with Urban and Social Planners in response to proposed changes to Granville Street ;
• Peer Helpers present workshop on homelessness to 102 youth and adults at an annual province-wide conference;
• Members participate in two focus groups with Yes! Canada , Career Paths Magazine. ;

April 2004

• Ten CHV clients graduate from the Peer Helper Training program;
• Nine youth placed within Community Support Centre, Crisis Shelter, LIFE, Rights of Passage and Development and Communications;
• As of April, members and staff of the YPS provided a total five media interviews (print and broadcast).
• Six new DSV members for this Fiscal Year;
• DSV says goodbye to two original, founding members;
• One remaining founding member;
• A total three service planning sessions held with DSV members. Program Coordinator co-facilitates service planning sessions with shelter and ROP clients.

May 2004 - June 2004

• As of June DSV held its 109 th meeting;
• There are currently 16 active committee members. Of this group, there is one alumni (original member) and five "new" members (attended three or more consecutive meetings in last quarter). Eleven are male, five are female;
• Eight committee members and two staff facilitated an afternoon session at the Merritt Teen Centre conference in May. Sixty delegates (51 youth, nine adults) attended the session;
• Members continue to volunteer with donation sorting and clothing room upkeep;
• One youth continues to conduct research and submit writing for the new ROP Orientation Manual. Deadline is now August 2004;
• DSV members began planning for the Shiseido Study Group from Japan , expected in Vancouver this October;
• Committee member receives an award from the Rotary Youth Leadership Award program;
• Committee hosts the Pacific Legal Education forum on rights and education;
• Members work with Kinex and Co-Op Radio to produce a by-youth-for-youth radio program;
• Program Coordinator continues to manage the local study on adolescent male sex trade workers in Vancouver . 40 % of surveys complete;
• Program Coordinator continues to participate as a member of MARC committee;
• Committee organizes first ever ROP Idol at 326 West Pender Street . Approximately thirty guests attended to encourage the eleven performers.