|
|
DREAMCATCHER - WEB OF LIFE
|
The PGUAJS has initiated "Dreamcatcher" to respond to the
needs of Aboriginal youth moving to Prince George. There are 2 main sets of
activities involved in the program:
1) A support program in Prince George, for youth to turn to before they
get in trouble. This program will provide:
- An orientation to
Prince George guidebook.
- A "Welcome to
Prince George" gift pack, which will provide positive
instructions to many of the cities services, business, and
recreational facilities.
- Job search counselling
and support.
- Advocacy and
referrals to other agencies and schools.
- Links to cultural
activities, family and spiritual activities.
2) Training in the communities to help prepare youth and families for
the issues that moving to Prince George can raise (separate from family and
culture, lack of supports, homesickness and loneliness, financial problems,
etc.) This training will include:
- Presentations to
Band Council and in community schools.
- A training manual
and video.
- Twice yearly visits
to communities by PGUAJS staff.
Support Services for Youth moving to Prince George
An after school drop-in will be available 5 days per week for youth to
stop by, have a cup of tea, get help filling out forms, build resumes, or
just to chat and get some encouragement. They can call home once in a while
to talk to family members. There will be videos and presentations about
topics youth need to understand in order to successfully live in the city,
like:
- Drug and alcohol
resistance.
- Recruitment by
gangs.
- Recruitment by the
sex trade.
- Sexually transmitted
diseases.
- Problem solving and
conflict resolution skills.
- Assertiveness and
resiliency skills.
- Money and time
management.
- Tenants' rights and
responsibilities.
- Employees' rights
and responsibilities.
The youth move to Prince George from outlying communities along Hwy 16
and Hwy 97 North. They come for a variety of reasons:
- Moving into foster
care.
- Going to school.
- Family moves to the
city.
- Looking for work,
excitement, change.
- Health issues -
needing to be closer to services.
Program Criteria:
- Of Aboriginal
heritage or self identified.
BACK TO PROGRAMS
|
