At Covenant House Vancouver (CHV), we are always striving to provide holistic support to the youth we serve. Recently, we had the privilege of collaborating with a group of compassionate and dedicated students from the University of British Columbia (UBC), thanks to the UBC Connect to Community Grant. This initiative has allowed us to address a critical need among the youth we serve: sexual health education.
The UBC Connect to Community Grants are designed to foster partnerships between UBC students and local non-profit organizations. These grants enable students to work on projects that address specific community needs. By identifying a relevant issue and collaborating with a local organization, students can make a tangible impact.
Working with UBC Students and Vancouver Coastal Health
The workshop, held last month, was facilitated by BLUSH (Bold Learning for Understanding Sexual Health) from Vancouver Coastal Health. Titled “Healthy Relationships,” the workshop covered essential topics such as understanding bodily autonomy, addressing consent positively and affirmatively, creating clear consent guidelines, building a culture of consent, and navigating various barriers while being aware of community resources.
To further support youth, UBC students used the grant money to create care packages. These packages included informational handbooks, treats, and safe sex items such as condoms. The students also provided snacks for workshop attendees and are working on digitizing the workshop information. Their goal is to translate this information into multiple languages, to ensure it is accessible to all the youth we serve, whenever they need it.
Why Covenant House Vancouver?
The UBC students chose to partner with CHV because they deeply appreciate our holistic approach to youth support. They recognized that we don’t just provide basic necessities like food and shelter; we also offer mental health support, life skills training, and housing assistance. They valued our focus on the age group of 16 to 24 that is a critical time in the development of young adults, and wanted to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way.
Moving Forward
This collaboration with UBC students has been a testament to the power of community and the impact of thoughtful, well-executed initiatives. The “Healthy Relationships” workshop and the accompanying care packages have provided youth with valuable resources and knowledge that will empower them to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
We are incredibly grateful for the support from UBC and the dedication of these five students. Their efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of the youth at Covenant House Vancouver, and we look forward to continuing such impactful relationships, in the future. If you are interested in collaborating with Covenant House Vancouver, please contact us at: info@covenanthousebc.org or call us at 604-685-7474.