Choices for Youth is saddened to share that we are forced to significantly reduce our services for vulnerable youth after months of delays in finalizing a vital funding agreement. Following seven years of federal investment, on June 20, 2024, we were informed we would receive only $4 million in federal funding over four years – just 20% of the $20 million requested from the Government of Canada. We requested access to the total $4 million in the current fiscal year to continue services at existing levels while working to secure alternate long-term support, however, we have still been unable to secure a final funding agreement. These ongoing delays have left us no choice but to make heartbreaking cuts to our programs and services. This includes reducing housing and wrap-around supports for over 350 young people annually. As of Tuesday, August 20, we have implemented layoffs for 16 full-time employees and 15 youth trainees employed through our social enterprises. We are also unable to fill vacancies for 10 full-time staff and 16 youth employees. Furthermore, we have been forced to significantly reduce housing supports for 70 youth, evict eight young people from supportive housing, cut supportive services for 25 vulnerable young moms and 40 children, and eliminate training and educational supports for 35 youth by terminating the delivery of nationally recognized pre-employment training. These changes have directly impacted 45 youth with disabilities, 45 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and over 30 young families. CFY Executive Director Jen Crowe is disheartened by this development and the impact it will have on youth and young families in our province. “Our funding allows youth to engage in social enterprise employment, providing a training ground for vulnerable youth to prepare for the future. It gives young people the tools they need today to provide for themselves and their families in the future. It provides necessary services and supports that cost less, produce better outcomes, and are less harmful than the alternatives.” Despite this unfortunate development, CFY maintains its commitment to providing housing, health, education, employment, and family and natural support services to the most vulnerable youth in our province and will continue to seek opportunities to invest in programming and services that end youth homelessness and help youth achieve their goals. You can read the full Media Release for more details: heyor.ca/O5L2e7

We are excited to announce we have a new Executive Director – Jen Crowe (She/Her)! Jen will be taking on this role effective July 15th! 👏 As many know, Jen is no stranger to CFY! She joined our team in March 2020 and has been providing strategic leadership across many areas of the organization ever since. Jen demonstrates a deep commitment to Choices for Youth’s mission and vision through all her work, and we are thrilled to see her step into this new role ✨ The search for Choices for Youth’s Executive Director included a robust recruitment and selection process, led by CFY’s Human Resource and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors with support from an external Human Resources consultant. To read the full announcement, please visit 👉 bit.ly/3LenXAI #TogetherWeCan