Coaching pilot project

Phase 1of S.T.A.N.D. Will be proposing a coaching pilot project in summer of 2013. Hopefully to start fall/winter 2013/14.

Who is there to empower troubled youth when they may be hitting their rock bottom and ready to make positive changes that will lead to a brighter future? My goal is to have a coaching program in place which will offer coaching services to youth who have lost their way; youth on remand in detention, youth sentenced to open custody, youth spending time in a group home or foster care and youth transitioning from addiction treatment back into the 'real world'.

The youth will be referred to this program by youth interventionists, RCMP from the Youth @ Risk program, open custody staff, probation officers or addiction or mental health counsellors. These youth will be targeted because they have voiced a desire for change, or a desire for change is recognized by a professional. They will be given an hour of coaching per week for a period of 3 months. The coach will use their skills to inspire the youth to discover dreams and encourage strength in competencies such as asking for help. They will be empowered to make decisions about what they want in their life and coached to start playing their 'game of life' as a winner. They will have someone 'on their team', they will learn what skills they have and what skills need enhancing, what character traits need work and what challenges and inner fears they may be experiencing and how to turn those challenges into opportunity.

Why are donations and funding such a project a "worthwhile" investment? (Besides, of course, that these youth deserve the best chance possible to get back on their feet and back into life)
"The social and economic cost: Without a national commitment to address youth homelessness, the numbers of street-involved youth will continue to accelerate, and associated health care, criminal justice, social services and emergency shelter costs will continue to grow.
And that makes no economic sense. It costs an estimated $30,000 – $40,000 per year to keep a youth in the shelter system. The cost of keeping one youth in detention is estimated at over $250 a day, or $100,000 a year." Www.raisingtheroof.org



What all youth need to hear: "We are all imperfect, as human beings, we are wired for struggle, but we are worthy of love & belonging." Brene Brown

It takes a community to raise a child!!

S.T.A.N.D. Sobriety Through a New Direction. I'm in the process of creating a 'Social Enterprise' which will create programs to support youth in need of direction. This organization will reach out to youth in recovery from addictions, youth in need of coaching services to support and encourage healthy change, a volunteer central program which will help connect youth to volunteer opportunities and community service possibilities to encourage empathy and community connections, peer mentoring programs, leadership programs, community programs such as NA, AA and Al Anon, Nar ANON, a drop in center for youth and parents for support, parent support and family programs as well as many other programs designed to help families and youth get support and resources within the community when in need. The plan is to develop a program that will connect youth and families to services available within the community, a source of light for families in darkness.

Many of our youth today are lonely, lost and afraid, tormented and disrespectful, turning to drugs, alcohol and crime out of loneliness, boredom and defiance. They lack necessary respect for themselves and their community in a world we have built. WE are responsible to ensure there are resources for families and teens when they need them. Resources are needed TODAY!!! Photo credit: Photo found online and belongs to its respectful owner.