Directions Youth Services
VFR: Sylvia and John, please tell us about yourselves and your roles at Directions Youth Services.
JK: My name is John Kehler. I am Assistant Manager at Directions Youth Services Centre (DYSC), a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV).
SE: I’m Sylvia Elliot, the Site Kitchen Coordinator at DYSC.
We overlap in the arena of volunteer management. Sylvia manages a larger volunteer pool for the daily evening meals and John oversees a smaller pool for hot breakfast on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
VFR: VFR volunteer drivers regularly drop off food donations at Directions, but many volunteers might not know about the services and programs run by the organization. Tell us about Directions' main services and programs.
DYSC is open 24/7/365 and provides services to homeless, street entrenched, and at-risk youth ages 24 and under (About Us — Directions Youth Services).
The centre provides a safe space and crisis response to clients, drug affected or not, in a non-judgmental and client-centred manner. Youth receive referral and/or accompaniment to relevant services that can represent a pivotal step away from homelessness. The site operates in a ‘web of support’ that works closely with other parent agency resources (Street Youth Job Action, Media Room, Outreach, Safehouse, Detox, Haven) and also outside health and social services to assist youth. Clients regularly access the site to access an emergency shelter, as well as comforts like snacks, showers, toiletries, laundry, clean clothes and donations. There is a hot meal, including vegetarian options, nightly at the site.
VFR: Directions runs a Culinary Leaders in Training Program. Tell us about this innovative initiative and what the response has been from the youth involved.
Currently suspended due to COVID, the Leader In Training (LIT) evolved from the previous involvement of clients in the kitchen’s food prep, serving, and cleaning of the daily supper. The development of an ‘in-house certificate’ with a cash stipend, clear measures, and outcomes help to build a youth’s confidence and resume! Youth seem to appreciate the 1:1 culinary exposure, the responsibility, and the supportive tone of the program.
VFR: The Directions website states, "Our clients have all experienced trauma." Every person is different, but in general how does trauma impact children and youth? And how does the reality of trauma inform the support, care, and journey to stabilization provided by Directions?
There are libraries and entire courses on the effects of trauma. Some youth arrive at DYSC recently escaping a traumatizing household or environment; others encounter trauma once they become marginalized. Trauma can impact relationships and self-regulation, isolate people, and affect the ability to get close to others. It can affect the body, how you think and how you behave. People can become guarded, withdrawn, or distrustful; affected judgement can also place them in high-risk situations.
DYSC staff approach the work in a manner that can accommodate many of the above impacts. The site has clear, and minimum, behaviour requirements that guide the interactions. Youth can access amenities and also have support reaching out to other services. If there is a client behaviour that needs to be addressed, staff are responsive and professional. Our access points include not only the drop-in space but we can interact with ‘out the door’ services, ‘side door’ services, and also ‘off-site’ with the outreach team.
VFR: What role does a healthy, warm meal play in the lives of youth who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness?
The benefits of a freshly prepared, healthy meal cannot be overstated. The invitation to eat well, and daily, can be a central part of a homeless youth’s day. Additionally, the impact of a warm meal on a fatigued, and at time distrusting, person is instrumental to breaking down barriers. A warm meal allows staff to check in with the well-known clients and also ‘break the ice’ with the newer clients. Mealtime serves as a ‘check-in point’ that is respectful, natural and considerate of their needs.
VFR: Anything else you would like our readers to know about your critical work?
It is about you folks! Vancouver Food Runners is such an instrumental part of what we do. The array of food items keeps our kitchen staff busy and the youth well fed!
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