New program will offer wraparound help for NWT youth in crisis

School boards, the territorial government and the Home Base Yellowknife charity are rolling out a new program that offers housing, help and education to youth in crisis.

The Home Base Stabilization Education Program – or Step – is designed for youth with challenges related to mental health, trauma, housing instability or substance abuse, the groups said in a Tuesday announcement.

Starting in September, up to 12 students at a time will receive “education, housing, clinical care and cultural supports in one coordinated setting so that youth can stabilize, heal and eventually re-engage in learning.”

According to a news release, up to 30 percent of participants are expected to come from outside the territorial capital. For example, some youth may already be in Yellowknife for short-term mental health or addiction treatment.

Education through Step “will emphasize practical, individualized learning rather than traditional classroom models,” the news release stated.

Two teachers, one from YK1 and one from Yellowknife Catholic Schools, will provide one-on-one and small group learning in literacy, numeracy, life and work skills, and pre-employment or trades.

Caitlin Cleveland, the NWT’s minister for education and employment, said Step will meet youth “where they are with compassion, flexibility and culturally grounded care.”

As part of the program, she said trauma-informed mental health and wellness services and cultural programming will be led by Elders and knowledge keepers.

Youth will have access to clinical services, including mental health and addiction support, early recovery and relapse prevention, counselling, and group interventions.

“We’re working together to remove barriers that can stand between youth, their learning, healing and goals,” Cleveland said.

“Step is built on a simple and important truth – stability, wellness and learning are deeply connected. With the right supports, grounded in dignity, cultural, safety and trust, every young person can thrive when we bring these supports together in a coordinated way.”

Tina Schauerte, chair of Yellowknife Catholic Schools’ board of trustees, said the program was “not about lowering expectations” but removing barriers.

“For some that may mean returning to school and for others, pursuing traditional training or entering the workforce when they’re ready,” she said.

Home Base Yellowknife already works with vulnerable youth in the city, offering programming and supports like housing.

Executive director Tammy Roberts said the organization had been working toward an initiative like Step since 2020. Now, she said, the timing finally felt right.

Roberts added Home Base had conducted a community-wide survey a few years ago to better understand barriers students faced in attending high school.

“They want education. They want to graduate high school, just like everyone else, but life gets in the way, and I think this partnership is going to be able to work on that so life doesn’t get in the way,” she said.

“I also feel really strongly that some of our youth might be able to transition back into a high school classroom.

“This is going to give them that bit of boost that they need in order to feel confident going, and then just all the opportunities when it comes to trades and sports that they don’t have access to when they’re not registered will also become available for them as well.”

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