Hiiye'yu Lelum Society
House of Friendship
Healthiest Babies Possible & Early Years
Youth Inclusion Program
Walking alongside youth through challenges, choices and opportunities.
The Youth Inclusion Program (YIP) provides relationship-based outreach and one-to-one support for youth navigating challenges in their lives.
Youth Outreach Workers meet young people where they are—at home, in the community, outdoors or through activities that create space to talk, learn and build trust. Support is shaped around each young person’s strengths, circumstances and goals.
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What We Offer
Youth can receive support with:
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One-to-One Outreach — having a trusted person to talk with and work through challenges.
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Education — supporting school participation, educational goals and pathways back to learning.
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Employment Readiness — resumes, job searches and building skills for entering the workforce.
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Life Skills — developing independence through skills such as cooking, laundry, routines and personal care.
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Confidence & Relationships — strengthening self-esteem, healthy relationships and decision-making.
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Grief & Difficult Experiences — providing support and connections when youth are navigating grief, loss or other significant challenges.
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Health & Wellness — helping youth understand and navigate health and wellness needs.
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Technology & Healthy Routines — exploring how gaming, social media and cellphone use can affect sleep, wellbeing and everyday life.
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Connections to Other Supports — helping youth access additional community services when needed.
Land-Based Activities
Cultural learning and time on the land can create meaningful opportunities for connection.
Youth may participate in carving, fishing, preparing traditional foods, walking, hiking and spending time at local rivers, lakes, parks and other outdoor spaces.
Carving provides an opportunity to learn more than a technical skill. Teachings about cedar, working with a clear mind and approaching the work with good feelings create opportunities to talk about wellness, responsibility, respect and how we carry ourselves in other areas of life.
Meeting Youth Where They Are
Not every young person connects in the same way.
Sometimes support happens while working on a carving. Sometimes it happens on a trail, beside the river, during a drive or simply sitting somewhere comfortable and talking.
YIP creates space for relationships to develop naturally, giving youth opportunities to be heard while working toward goals that matter to them.
Working Together
The Youth Inclusion Program works with schools and other organizations supporting youth in the Cowichan Valley to strengthen connections and respond to emerging needs.
The program also collaborates with other Hiiye’yu Lelum programs where additional employment, cultural or community supports can benefit youth.
Connect with Youth Inclusion Program
If you are a youth looking for support, or you would like to connect a young person with the program, contact Hiiye’yu Lelum to learn more.
Our Website is Being Refreshed
We're creating a more welcoming and accessible online space to better connect our community with programs, services, events, and opportunities. Some pages are still under construction as we continue to build. Thank you for your patience—we look forward to sharing our new website with you soon.