The province is committing to continued contributions to youth programs for four years with a funding announcement event on May 27th at the YWCA in Prince Albert.
The Ministry of Social Services is funding programs that improve children, youth, and families’ safety and well-being.
YWCA CEO Donna Brooks spoke about the growing need for youth support services and the impact stable funding has on vulnerable young people in the community.
“They [youth] don’t not have the support of a stable family. They don’t have the support of stable grandparents; the generational trauma that has come down generation from generation from generation is not just residential school. So, there’s all sorts of trauma.” explained Donna Brooks, CEO YWCA “The youth that we see, the young people that we see come through our doors, and come through our programs, are here because they don’t have that stable person to turn to; they don’t have that stable home to turn to; and still we’ve got to remember, they’re still young people. There’s still children, they’re not like 40 years old and have a job but have to make these choices. What we try to do is empower the youth to be able to make the positive choices but have to be able to show them what choices they have to make, so we have to be able to show them what choices there are and support them and guide them.”
Brooks said many youth entering YWCA programs lack stable homes, family support, and positive guidance due to poverty, trauma, and intergenerational challenges. She emphasized that the organization’s role is to help youth understand they have options and provide the support needed to pursue healthier futures.
“Our government is proud to stand with YWCA Prince Albert as they continue to provide crucial supports and opportunities for youth and families who need it most,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C., said. “These investments reinforce our commitment to helping young people find safe shelter and appropriate services that address challenges, develop life skills, reduce reoffending, and contribute to a stronger and more resilient Prince Albert.”
During the media Q&A, Brooks explained that government funding allows the organization to maintain staffing, shelter operations, meals, programming, and long-term support services. Without that funding, she said many youth would “fall through the cracks,” potentially ending up homeless or involved in the criminal justice system.
The YWCA’s youth shelter served 63 individual youth over the last fiscal year. Brooks noted that while the goal is often short-term stabilization, many youth stay four to five months because of the complexity of their situations and the shortage of safe housing options.
The organization also highlighted its broader network of services across Prince Albert, including supportive housing, Indigenous programming, youth homes, and community connection services aimed at helping people access housing, employment, identification, and mental health supports.
“When young people feel safe and supported, they are better able to make healthy choices and build stability in their lives, and this investment supports proven programming that helps youth feel connected, valued, and supported in their community,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Alana Ross said. “The YWCA Prince Albert is well known for its shelter and supportive housing; their advocacy and programs for women and girls, work that supports life skills and well-being, are an important part of this work.”
This continued funding enables YWCA Prince Albert to continue offering essential supports for youth aged 12 to 17, including those involved in the justice system.
The YWCA Prince Albert provides the following programming: Safe, supervised, and supportive housing; counseling and mental health supports; substance use recovery services; Life skills and personal development and connections to education and employment;
77% of the young people using this service in 2024–2025 shown improvements in important life skills like financial literacy, personal management, and the capacity to control substance abuse. Additionally, after taking part in culturally appropriate programs, 77% of clients reported feeling better.
The funding includes residential services for young mothers and their children, supportive family living programs that enable families to safely care for their children in the comfort of their own homes, and transitional housing programs that develop life skills and support networks for independence.
For more information, visit About Us—YWCA Prince Albert.