The City of Thunder Bay is implementing a Youth Inclusion Program thanks to $5.6 million in federal funding.
The five year program will target kids between 12-24, with a special focus on Indigenous youth who go to Thunder Bay to continue their education.
The program is a response to the Seven Youth Inquest that examines the deaths of seven Indigenous Youth in Thunder Bay.
Officials tell us they’ll have a mobile outreach van that will transport youth to events and reach out to them in neighbourhoods that don’t have a Youth Inclusion Program site in it.
YIP sites will be located in some schools and three neighbourhoods.
Youth navigators will be hired to help direct teens to resources in the community.
The City is also working on creating a mentorship program.
The program is expected to reach over a thousand participants over the five years. (Photo & Video by Sheri Leviski-Kotyk)
