New semi-independent youth home opens in Regina

A new semi-independent youth home has opened in Regina. (Wayne Mantyka / CTV Regina)

A new semi-independent youth home has opened in Regina through a partnership between YWCA and the provincial government.

The Semi-Independent Living Program (SILP) will allow youth aged 16 to 24 receiving child welfare support in Regina to help them move towards independence, through mentorship, guidance, and opportunities to build life skills, according to the province.

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The program, which was developed in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Team, provides housing and 24-hour on-site support for youth who are old enough to leave the care of Social Services.

Members of the Youth Advisory Team, who have lived experience in care, spoke about the importance of the program.

“We are determined to break the generational cycles instead of repeating them. We are excited about this new beginning and hope it inspires further change,” they said in an update from the province.

Members of the team will continue to work with YWCA as it operates the program.

“YWCA Regina is excited to bring to life a project that was initiated by youth for youth,” YWCA Regina CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen said.

“The housing project will provide youth with the stability, support, and space needed to build independence, step-by-step. We are proud to work alongside the Ministry of Social Services and our partners to bring a long-term, youth-led solution to Regina.”

Amy-Louise Robertson with the Youth Advisory Team believes it would have helped her when she made the transition to living on her own.

“I guess for me it was a matter of not feeling like I knew what I was doing when I was aging out and becoming an adult. I didn’t really understand my responsibilities. I didn’t understand the supports I had. I didn’t really know how to ‘adult,’” she explained.

The semi-independent youth home features 12 spaces and is the first housing complex of its kind in southern Saskatchewan, according to the province.

The rent is $435 per person which will be covered by Social Services until participants get established.

The government feels that transition help now will ensure that those leaving government care have a firm foundation for independent living.

“We need to have a place for some of those youth who aren’t ready to be fully independent to go and this is one of those places,” Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson said.