REGINA — A new semi-independent living program has officially opened on the east side of Regina.
The Government of Saskatchewan, in partnership with YWCA Regina, is delivering the program, which was developed in collaboration with the Regina Youth Advisory Team, according to a news release. The government said it has committed $865,000 in annualized funding to support the ongoing operation of the program and is also delivering on its 2025-26 budget commitment of $430,000.
Those participating in the program are youth who were previously in the care of Social Services but are aging out of care at age 18.
Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson said the program fills a gap that existed for youth who are aging out of care but are “maybe not quite ready to be fully independent.”
“And they need some life skills. They need money management. Maybe there’s some cultural supports that they need as they move on. But that’s the whole idea — to prevent these youth from falling through the cracks and then becoming dependent on a system. And so we really are focused on providing those supports to those youth so they can have a successful life as an adult. And it’s a great program. And this is going to be a wonderful facility for those youth to be able to enter into and really take that next step.”
There are similar programs in the province, such as EGADZ in Saskatoon, but Jenson noted that program also includes youth from the broader community.
“This one is going to be ministry-referred. And this is an example of bridging that gap. When I talked about building bridges before and having a strong foundation, this is going to enable a strong foundation for these youth so they can have, you know, it’s a safe area for them, it’s going to provide security to them, and they’re going to wind up being stronger for it.”
“I think what we discovered as we were looking at this project and the feasibility of it is the amount of young people in our shelters of this age group,” said YWCA Regina CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen.
She said 30 per cent of those using the homeless shelter were in that age group. She said the need is there “not just from a housing perspective, but in terms of the amount of wraparound support that will be given to the young people in this space.”
The facility will have 22 beds in 10 rooms. Coomber-Bendtsen said the program will have 24-hour staff to support youth with their needs.
“So for some youth that might be help with budget and paying rent and paying bills. For some youth it might be an education program that they’re in and just supporting them. For some youth it might be finding employment. And so I think that will really depend on what the young people need and will be driven by the needs that they come with and what they’re looking for. And so really stepping in, I think we all know how when you move to a certain age, you still need the support of those people around you. So it’s really a community of care to help support young people to full independence without having to face the kind of barriers or obstacles that they might currently face.”
Amy-Louise Roberts, a member of the Youth Advisory Team, spoke about the challenges she faced as she reached adulthood.
“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 support I had. I didn’t really know how to adult,” Roberts said.
“And there was a little bit of help with the adjustment, but there wasn’t enough. And I am still trying to get my footing. And like I said, I’m 24 years old. So a project like this is… I can honestly say it’s probably one of the most important projects that is happening right now.”
She said her team came up with the idea for the program about three years ago and has been pushing to make it a reality.
“I can’t describe how amazing I feel right now… I strongly believe that, you know, as youth, we really can make a difference, but we need that help. And a building like this will help, you know, we can make a huge difference if we get the chance.”
