Youth Empowerment & Support Services

Specialties

YESS is a relentlessly dedicated not-​for-​profit organization that provides at-​risk and homeless youth with the shelter, support and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

NEXUS Emergency Overnight Shelter

Our Nexus shelter is open 7 nights a week from 9:00pm-9:00am. Youth ages 15 – 21 years old can access food, showers, laundry, rec room, and a safe place to sleep. Beds are offered on a first come first served basis.

ARC Daytime Program

The Armoury Resource Centre (ARC) is a daytime hub open from 9:00am-9:00pm, where youth aged 15 – 23 can access a variety of services including counseling, medical and addictions support, and different workshops and activities.

GRAHAM’S/SHANOA’S PLACE Residential Programs

Graham’s Place & Shanoa’s Place use a house-​parent model to provide a a longer term, safe, nurturing and supportive homelike environment for youth ages 15 – 21 that are struggling with addictions, mental health, or past trauma.

MOSAIC Support Program

The Mosaic support team works with youth to determine what they need, who can support them, and how they can meet their goals. Staff coordinate a multidisciplinary team of supports including counsellors, family members, teachers and friends that work together to help youth reach their goals and celebrate their successes.

COMPASS Support Program

The compass team offers mental health and addictions support, resources, referrals and cultural diversity assistance to youth who have suffered trauma.

History

Established in 1981.

In 1978, a group of people noticed a huge gap in services for young people in Alberta. Until the age of sixteen, youth in crisis could access Child and Family Services. After they turned eighteen, the adult support systems opened up to them. See a problem here?

You got it. After their sixteenth birthday and until their eighteenth birthday, there were no resources available to them. For two years – two very important years in anyone’s life – these young people had no one to turn to. No assistance for housing. No one to help them get through high school. No one to help them eat, sleep, or live safely. A lot of these youth ended up on the streets, became involved with drugs or prostitution, and just gave up on trying to graduate from high school.

In 1981, YESS opened its doors at 9310 – 82 Avenue, providing shelter, safety, and hope to youth facing difficult realities. Over the years, thousands of kids have come through our doors. We’ve given them options, support, and a future.