Youth at Promise is a basic literacy program for youth ages 16 -24 that provides a supportive learning environment for youth who face significant barriers to obtain access to education.

The Youth at Promise re-introduces learning to youth who have dropped out of school, increases youth’s confidence and self esteem, offers individualized program to youth which is based on their own academic needs, to increase awareness of community services and provide referrals where appropriate.

Youth at Promise participants have become isolated from the supports which enable them to succeed.

• They have negative associations with learning environments.
• They have substantial gaps in their learning and perceive themselves to be further along in their educational abilities than they are.
• They do not trust adults in their lives.
• Have not had consistent periods of stability and structure in their lives.
• They have drug and alcohol issues.
• They have experiences with the justice system.
• They continue to struggle with issues of poverty and housing crisis and have a desire to work but are not ready to fully meet employer expectations.

Community Youth Network
Choices For Youth
Pre-Trial Services / Department of Justice
Eastern Health / Youth and Family Services
St. Francis Foundation
Waypoints
Human Resouces Labour and Employment

Referrals are accepted from parents, youth, community agencies and government agencies. Referral forms can be picked up from CYN or phone 754-0536.

Youth at Promise Referral Form

"I want to make a life, get a job, not live off welfare. You need an education for that."

"I wanted to learn and couldn’t, I got stressed out. This program is everything I missed in high school. It’s giving me a chance to learn. It gives you back your self-esteem."

"It’s really good. I used to be afraid to read in school - now I can do it OK. You can work at your own pace, you don’t have to rush. They actually sit down and help you."