Newcomer Youth
We saw an increase in newcomers who accessed our programs and services during the pandemic. It has not lessened since then.
- From July 2022 – June 2023,14% of youth in programs were newcomers to Canada.
- From July 2023 – June 2024, 33% of youth in programs were newcomers to Canada.
In BC, newcomers face a range of external challenges – including the housing crisis, language barriers, limited supports, lack of immigration status, and funding cuts – all of which increase their risk of exploitation.
In 2017, CHV joined the Multi-Agency Partnership, along with 60 other organizations that researched, worked with government, and shared information to support newcomers. Anything we learned from the meetings was brought back to CHV’s Case Management team, which helped inform us as to how to proceed.
To meet the unique needs of newcomer youth, we:
- Form new partnerships to provide language and cultural supports
- Train frontline staff on issues relevant to newcomers
- Educate frontline staff about the refugee process so that they can better support newcomers
- Provide a space for prayer, food, and decorate for cultural and spiritual events
- Provide youth with phones and private spaces for them to talk to family, day or night
- Adapt life skills training for youth to meet their changing needs
- Redesign programs and services to change what success looked like, with a focus on community, wellness, connection, and culture
- Provide study areas and volunteer-led English language practice