| Youth homelessness needs more attention
Calgary is home to at least 354 homeless youth, according to a new report done for McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association.
The report, called Seeking Sanctuary: An Exploration of the Realities of Youth Homelessness in Calgary, says 32 per cent of homeless youth in Calgary are under the age of 15. One-third of homeless youth cite neglect and abuse as the reason they ended up on the street, and another third say they were kicked out by parents or guardians.
"All levels of government need to recognize that there are indeed youth who are homeless that are under the age of 18. One of the youngest people interviewed was 12 and that’s pretty young. I think a lot of the youth are hidden youth," says Darlene Petrie, program manager at McMan.
Of those surveyed, 46 per cent of youth panhandle, 14 per cent are involved in the drug trade and 22 per cent are involved in the sex trade. Aboriginal youth make up a disproportionate number of homeless youth at 21 per cent, and the number of homeless girls has increased to 40 per cent. Homelessness isn’t necessarily a short-term problem for youth, either — 35 per cent of those surveyed had been homeless for six months or longer.
The report says providing homeless youth with housing and then expecting them to live independently isn’t necessarily the best solution. Youth interviewed for the report say they want to see more foster homes, group homes with resident house parents and semi-independent residences with on-site staff.
McMan provides housing for homeless youth, including a program called Hope Homes that provides room and board with a family for youth who are attending school. They also have a group home called Wellington House, but Petrie says there are long waiting lists and agrees more housing options are desperately needed.
The report advocates more action to prevent youth from ending up on the street, and earlier intervention for those who do so they don’t become entrenched in street life.
Petrie says she’d like to see more education in the community so citizens would be able to identify homeless youth and refer them to services.
She adds that society also has to recognize that, although homeless youth have been forced to fend for themselves, they still need help from their community.
"I think the one thing I get really frustrated about is when people hear the word youth they shut off, but in actual fact these are children because the United Nations identifies them as children up until the age of 18," says Petrie. "They are the children of our community no matter where they live – they are still young people who need help."
new Ecohome opens
The Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is holding a grand opening for its new Ecohome from 10:30 a.m. to noon on September 29.
The Ecohome has 25 per cent lower energy costs, uses 60 per cent less natural gas and produces five tonnes less greenhouse gas emissions than a Jayman Master Builder’s Kennedy home model, which is popular in Calgary suburbs. The Ecohome, located at 566 Chaparral Drive S.E., will be open to the public every weekend from October 1 to December 16.
Jennifer Peters, spokesperson for the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation, says Calgarians who tour the home will learn how to increase energy efficiency and reduce their overall ecological footprint. At the end of this year, the house will be sold and the proceeds will go to other Alberta Ecotrust Foundation projects. For more information, go to www.albertaecotrust.com. |
Copyright ©2005 FFWD. All rights reserved.