PHOENIX
HELPING YOUTH RISE ABOVE
Amy arrived in Nova Scotia as a young
mother escaping an abusive relationship.
She wanted to work and pursue an
education while being the best mom she
could be. That’s when Amy joined the
Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre
and Phoenix’s Parent Support Program.
There, Amy found more than just the
basics – she found the strength to rise up
and reach for her future.
For centuries, the story of the Phoenix has come to be a symbol of change, resurrection
and hope. In this mythic tale, a beautiful bird - the Phoenix – is consumed in a great
fire. Renewed and strengthened, the Phoenix rises from the ashes and soars into a brand
new life. To us, the Phoenix represents our youth’s ability to rise above adversity, and
Amy’s story
“
A stranger told me about Phoenix.
They said, if you ever need help with
anything, here is the address. I went,
and it was like a hundred doors opened
up after that.
I’m going to NSCC to finish some high
school courses and get into the
practical nursing program. I want to
wake up every day and love my job.
I want to help people. Whether it’s
big or small, it’s all I want to do.
Amy S.
Rising from the ashes
“
to find healthy and fulfilling lives.
As a community, there is so much we can do to help vulnerable young people reach
their potential, and to prevent others from finding themselves in unhealthy situations.
Like the story of the Phoenix, we too can help youth rise above the challenges they
face, to be successful, and to thrive.
You can be a part of this transformation.
Steven entered Phoenix Youth Shelter
feeling he had very few options in life.
Safety, support and shelter
He was homeless and needed support.
Now Steven is living at Phoenix House,
At any given point in time Phoenix supports hundreds of kids. Our statistics show a
while attending school and working.
steady increase in the need for our services and we expect this demand to continue.
Steven is motivated, strong and
positive about his future.
For example, in a local survey conducted in March 2005 called “Homelessness:
A Portrait of Streets and Shelters (Volume 2)”, approximately one out of three
Steven’s story
“
I didn’t want to get involved with
homeless individuals interviewed were under 24 years of age, a marked increase from
the survey conducted the previous year.
Phoenix at first, but I had no other
choice. I was homeless and needed to
be a part of something that would
Most often these are young people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. These
help me. I love Phoenix because it
kids, with such great potential, simply need the benefit of support and opportunities
gave me the motivation to do the
things I didn’t want to do… school
and work – now I’m doing them both.
The staff here are great.
They make life easier because they’re
there to help you. That’s why I’m
here…because I wasn’t able to help
myself. They help me, and once they
help me enough, I can start helping
myself.
“
Steven R.
that the rest of us may have always taken for granted.
Mallorie joined the Phoenix Special Initiatives
Program five years ago and has worked to
change her life ever since. From the Phoenix
Youth Shelter, to her own apartment, to dreams
of working with children in Africa, Mallorie
knows her potential is unlimited.
“
Breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness
Phoenix believes in long term solutions and in giving young people the skills and
confidence they need to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. This is
Mallorie’s story
accomplished through a range of programs and services that help youth transition
I’ve learned that anyone can do whatever
they want. I wanted to work with kids my
whole life and now I see different
opportunities out there - something that’s
going to impact a lot of people. I know I
want to do something bigger. I want to go to
Africa and help the kids over there. I want to
challenge myself every day with something
new. There’s just so much you can do out
there. I want to do something that’s going
to change the world. I want to do something
major.
from a place of need, to a place of healthy independence.
Mallorie B.
programs, Phoenix youth achieve amazing successes each and every day!
“
Three years ago, Dwayne arrived in Halifax in
the hope of finding better employment. With
no place to live and no family support, he
turned to Phoenix. Today, Dwayne has his
own apartment and is participating in an
entrepreneurial program with a plan to open
his own restaurant.
Dwayne’s story
“
Phoenix made a big difference in my life
because there are times when you feel that
you are not accepted even within your own
self. My parents are in Ontario so I didn’t
have anyone to turn to. But I knew I could go
to the phone book and look for Phoenix. There
is always someone to talk to. Not only that,
I can go there and meet with a worker and
gain information for my own well-being.
That makes a huge difference.
Dwayne I.
“
We provide many innovative programs - from safe and comfortable shelter, to supportive
counseling and employment coaching. Although every youth’s journey is different, each
and every one is looking for a sense of belonging, guidance and a chance to succeed.
We are proud of our youth’s accomplishments. Through support and participation in our
You can be a part of this success.
Lauren knows the reality of rising
from the ashes, having experienced an
abusive childhood and the harshness
of being young and homeless. Lauren
joined Phoenix almost two years ago,
living first at the House and graduating
into our Supervised Apartment Program.
Sometimes people have a stereotype
of what a person living in a group
home should be. But I’m not that
stereotype. I’m a person.
I realize that life takes you where
you want it to take you… and that’s
where I am now.
Lauren O.
In the mid 1980’s, a small group of concerned citizens saw a lack of support for homeless
youth in the community and were determined to address the issue. Over 20 years later,
Phoenix is recognized across the country for our innovative continuum of ten programs
Lauren’s story
“
Our story
“
and services supporting at-risk and homeless youth aged 12-24.
Phoenix Prevention Program
Offers community education and therapeutic
intervention for at-risk youth and their families.
Phoenix Learning and Employment Centre (PLEC)
Matches youth with the most appropriate
educational or employment opportunities available.
Phoenix Centre for Youth
Provides support services such as counseling,
advocacy, food, clothing and laundry facilities plus
access to a telephone and computer.
Phoenix Parent Support Program
Provides young moms and dads with access to
workshops and counseling, as well as baby-care
items and food.
Phoenix Youth Shelter
A twenty-bed facility offering clothing, food
and other daily essentials plus counseling and
therapeutic support.
Phoenix Health Services
Offers comprehensive on-site health care at Phoenix
Youth Shelter, Phoenix Centre for Youth and Phoenix
House.
Phoenix House
A ten-bed long-term residential facility offering
safe, supportive housing for youth learning skills
for independent living.
Phoenix Special Initiatives (SPIN)
Develops youth’s skills through activities that reflect
the interests and talents of the youth.
Phoenix Supervised Apartment Program
Three independent homes providing a long-term,
supportive living situation for youth learning
skills needed for independent living.
Phoenix Follow-Up Program
Offers on-going support to clients with whom
we have a longstanding relationship.
Five years ago, John arrived in Nova
Scotia looking for a fresh start for his
new family. Today, John is a proud
and dedicated member of the Phoenix
Fathers’ Program.
John’s story
“
When I found out I was going to be a
dad, I was so happy. I had a smile on
my face from ear-to-ear for a week.
I showed up every Wednesday to the
Phoenix Fathers’ Program. It was
awesome.
Getting fathers together actually
brought the parent out in us. At first,
when we all showed up, we acted like
typical guys, trying to be hard and
trying to be cool. But then we all sat
down together and got real. It was
nice to see guys get sappy talking
about their kids. I’m one of those kids
who grew up without a father’s
influence, so I like to see fathers
paying attention to their children
or their step-children. I think they
need more courses like that to
encourage positive fatherhood.
John C.
“
You can help youth rise above
Phoenix is challenged every day to cover the rising cost of staffing, food, heating,
maintenance and other daily essentials. But we know it is a worthy investment - our
youth’s success stories are proof of that. While we are grateful for the on-going and
meaningful support we receive from government, we must turn to people like you to
help offset the remaining costs of our programs.
Your support can help youth rise above the many challenge they face in their lives.
Be it a need for shelter and food, or education and job skills, you will know that you
have helped a young person change their path in life.
There are many fun and rewarding ways to help. Volunteer with one of our programs,
become a donor, attend one of our signature events, or hold your own special activity
in support of Phoenix. It all helps.
Thanks to Phoenix, Robert was able to
finish high school and go on to
university. Today, with his diploma
in hand, Robert is building a life and
career.
Robert’s story
“
Accolades & Awards
Phoenix is recognized across the country as a leader in best practices for programming
and ground-breaking initiatives in our work with at-risk and homeless youth.
I want to tell our donors thank you…
thank you very much. Without you,
these programs would not exist. It’s
one thing to start a program like
Phoenix, but it’s another to keep it
going, so kids like me can have a
chance to succeed. I want to thank
you all because if it wasn’t for you,
I wouldn’t have a place to live, I
wouldn’t have my high school diploma
and, most of all, I wouldn’t have my
university degree.
s
#ANADA-ORTGAGEAND(OUSING#ORPORATION#-(#HASRECOGNIZED0HOENIXAS
one of the top ten “Best Practices Addressing Homelessness” in Canada.
Robert P.
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Atlantic Canada. The VSI is a joint initiative to strengthen the capacity of the
voluntary sector and to enhance the relationship between the Sector and the
Government of Canada.
“
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#-(#ALSORECOGNIZED0HOENIXASONEOFTHETOPINNOVATIVESERVICEPROVIDERS
to homeless persons in Canada, the United States, Australia and Europe.
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resourcefulness in the Supervised Apartment Program (our long-term independent
living residence).
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!TTHEINVITATIONOFTHE(2#OUNCILOF#ANADA0HOENIXSERVESASTHE.ATIONAL
Chair of the Advisory Committee on the development of core competencies designed
to fortify the not-for-profit sector.
Thank You
We are grateful to the hundreds of individuals, service clubs, companies, foundations,
schools and churches who share passionately in our belief that all youth deserve the
opportunity to live healthy, happy, independent lives.
Special thanks is extended to the people and businesses who donated their time and
skills in the creation of this beautiful report. Thank you for giving Phoenix, and the
youth with whom we have the privilege of working, an opportunity to share our stories.
BROCHURE CREDITS:
Darrell Munro
Balance Creative Communications Inc.
Iain MacLeod
Iain MacLeod Creative Services
James Ingram
Jive Photographic
Beth Durham
Photographer’s Assistant
Amanda O’Leary
Make-Up Artist
Jim Murphy
Maritime Digital Colour
PHOENIX
6035 Coburg Road
PO Box 60006 RPO, Professional Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
B3H 4R7
PH (902) 422-3105
FAX (902) 422-7656
[email protected]
www.phoenixyouth.ca
PHOENIX