Society is fundraising to create a shelter for youth

Whitehorse's Youth of Today Society (YOTS) aims to raise $425,000 to purchase a downtown facility to provide 24-hour supported living for the region's homeless youth.

Whitehorse’s Youth of Today Society (YOTS) aims to raise $425,000 to purchase a downtown facility to provide 24-hour supported living for the region’s homeless youth.

It would be called Angels’ Nest, a memorial to the late Angel Carlick, an 18-year-old homeless woman who was murdered last year.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure kids in the community are safe,“ Vicki Durrant, the YOTS’ director, told reporters Wednesday afternoon. “Not just your own kids but all kids.“

The money, to be raised through a music workshop, online auction, corporate challenge and fundraising concert, would be used to purchase the Hide on Jeckell hostel at 410 Jeckell St.

Durrant estimates the annual cost of operating such a supported living facility at $450,000, adding she had a verbal commitment from former health minister Brad Cathers that the Yukon government (YTG) would pick up the operations and maintenance tab.

“We hope the YTG will fill in where they’re meant to fill in with respect to funding,“ said Durrant.

“We haven’t yet met with the new (health) minister (Glenn Hart), so we’re hoping it’s a matter of them fulfilling their commitment.“

Detlev Schwartz, who has owned and operated Hide on Jeckell with his wife, Renate, for the past eight years, told the Star they lowered the asking price for the YOTS.

“They got a special price from us because it’s for a good cause,“ said Detlev. “The hostel is absolutely perfect (for the YOTS); it’s got a community kitchen, community living room and enough accommodations for staff too.“

The hostel also comes with all its contents, including beds, living room and kitchen furniture, computers and wireless Internet capability.

Currently, the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre provides beds for youth who need a safe place to stay, but there is no permanent location with beds situated around town.

Durrant points to a March 2007 More Than a Roof report, in which 96 per cent of survey respondents indicated some youth need a safe place to stay, ranging from one night up to six months.

And from Sept. 1, 2003 to May 30, 2004, the YOTS operated its first youth shelter pilot project and found that the semi-independent living quarters housed an average of 13 youth each month.

Durrant says Angels’ Nest would not only provide accommodations but counselling for issues ranging from finding a job to tackling substance abuse problems.

“There’s a reason why there’s homelessness and we want to address these issues and programming will be the most important part of the project,“ she added.

Angels’ Nest would provide shelter and counselling to youth aged 18 to 24 but Durrant said exceptions could be made for younger people who are in distress.

“We won’t turn anybody away but we’ll make sure we’re working with (territorial) Child and Family Services (in these cases),“ said Durrant.

A cabinet spokesman said this morning Hart has been busy in meetings with department officials as he learns the ropes of his new portfolio, and was unavailable to comment on the shelter concept.