Youth Outreach

Onyx

Onyx provides voluntary support to youth who are under the age of 19 years old who have dealt with sexual exploitation. The objective of this program is to assist these youth to leave sexually exploitive situations.  PLEA provides these services in partnership with Family Services of Greater Vancouver and Children of the Street Society.

We provide immediate response to youth who contact us and work with them to access the support and resources they need - including health services, a safe place to live, detox or treatment for substance use, and one-to-one support. Young people may access our services on their own, or through the Ministry of Children and Family Development, other youth serving agencies, schools, the police and other organizations.

LGBTQS

The “Generation Out” drop-in group is for youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered, two-spirited and questioning.  It is held on evenings once a week in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Vancouver. Please contact us for more information about meetings in your area.

Counselling and Family Support

Parents and family members can access PLEA’s Family Support services when they need assistance in managing their parental responsibilities when their youth is unwilling or unable to participate in counselling sessions.  We also provide counselling to families and caregivers with the purpose of reducing the multiple risk factors that contribute to antisocial behaviour, family breakdown and out-of-home placements. Counselling services are designed to address family functioning and sessions can be inclusive of youth and the family members that are willing to engage. These services are intended to be used as needed.

Parent – Teen Mediation

PLEA’s Parent - Teen Mediation Services are designed to improve communication and create better understanding between youth and their families. We provide mediation for families in crisis, including when youth have left the home or are at risk of leaving home. We work collaboratively to ensure that youth and their families can access the additional supports they require and that these are coordinated and timely. These services are designed to be intensive and no longer than 3 to 6 months in length.

Parent Support Groups

Parent Support Groups help parents and caregivers improve their ability to understand and support positive youth development. Our support groups facilitate educational and peer support where participants can improve their problem solving and conflict management skills.  They are also designed to strengthen informal supports and access services such as income support, transportation and health services.

Community Capacity Development

PLEA’s Community Capacity Development promotes youth development among employers, landlords and other members of the community. We work with employers to create real employment opportunities for young people and with landlords to improve access to safe and stable housing.

Our collaborative relationships with community partners create a positive environment for youth and their families, recognizing their contributions and successes and developing opportunities for them to strengthen their connections in their communities.

Supports to Transitional Housing

PLEA provides caregivers with ongoing assistance with transportation, respite and in difficult situations, including oppositional and defiant behaviour, mental health and addictions issues, critical incidents and emergencies. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week to respond to crisis situations and provide consultation through an emergency pager.

Youth Development

Youth Development Services are provided one-to-one to participants on an outreach basis in the community.  Our Youth Development workers support youth to reconnect to educational programs and graduate, assist with access to employment programs and help secure jobs, encourage young people to participate in social and recreational activities in the community, and create opportunities for youth to participate in events that provide positive and mutual peer support.  Our services also assist young people to develop Youth Agreements to meet their identified goals in these areas.