Full-time social worker student

I was full-time staff at the Spakwus Lam (Eagle House) Program. Spakwus Lam is a therapeutic residential home located in Vancouver that is contracted to provide residential care, assessment, treatment and traditional healing to five youth in care with the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Service Society (VACFSS). Its target population is Urban Aboriginal youth between the ages of 13 – 18 who are considered high risk or high profile. Youth have the opportunity throughout their stay to participate fully in the decisions and planning affecting them. Spakwus Lam represents spiritual protection, healing, strength, courage and wisdom.

I worked at 3 programs within FSGV's Youth Services division. The three programs I was active in are: 1) Directions Youth Detox provides voluntary detoxification services for youth 21 years of age and under who are struggling with substance misuse problems. 2) Directions Drop-in Centre serves as an urban youth centre, offering a safe place off the streets to engage youth in educational, recreational, and artistic media programs, meanwhile allowing staff to build trust with the youth in order to help them open themselves up to receiving help.3) Safehouse is a confidential, co-ed residence where youth can stay for a few weeks, get 3 meals a day, snacks, hot showers, clothing, and support.

Peak House is a voluntary, ten-week, live-in, treatment program for youth seeking freedom from problematic substance use. My position was as a youth counsellor.