News + Events

Mickaella could have been a statistic. Kicked out of home at age 14, pregnant at 17—her life could have simply been a tale of compounding tragedies, but thanks to your partnership, she got the support she needed and that’s not her story. Today, at 21, Mickaella is a stable, loving mother and wife, full of joy and potential—and she couldn’t have done it without your help. Mickaella first came to Youth Unlimited’s Abbotsford drop-in centre when she was 12. She laughs as she recalls her first memory. “For a twelve year old, it was like a nightclub for youth!” she...

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Four years ago, Youth Unlimited outreach worker Tim Gadd, and his wife Christine, were setting up the school breakfast program in the wee hours of the morning, when one of the helpers noticed two shy girls huddled inside the school, despite it being several hours before school started. She invited them to join YU’s breakfast program. Tim sat with the girls for breakfast and learned they are sisters, Bryanne and Ellie Lane, who were daily dropped off early so their mom could get to work on time. A kindly janitor would open a door early so the girls could stay...

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“Hi, I’m Danny. How are you?” With these words, Youth Unlimited youth worker Danny Ferguson approached the girl sitting alone in her high school hallway, headphones plugged in to block out the sound of the bustling hallway and her intense feeling of isolation. “My life was falling apart,” says Kaelynn. “I was sitting in a hallway by myself at school because I had no friends. I was probably the saddest teenager in the school that day.” Thirteen-year old Kaelynn desperately needed support. Increasing instability at home due to her father’s alcoholism and parents’ tumultuous relationship left Kaelynn responsible for her...

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Ten years ago Youth Unlimited established the Elevation Experience, now an 18-month leadership development program including a trip to Rwanda. Below are story snapshots from several summer 2017 team members. Four years ago, Nevada-Lee’s future looked anything but bright. The stress of her severe depression and anxiety, triggered by unpredictable circumstances, left her a high school drop-out at 15. But after six months she became determined to return to school. Her delight when she found out she’d be attending the North Shore’s alternative school was shattered after learning her best friend had just died. “I felt like everything was falling...

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