We are very excited to share our video of the newly renovated building that is home to the Rights of Passage program. But before we share the video, we would like to give you some background about this amazing program.
About Rights of Passage
The Rights of Passage program (ROP) provides youth with safe, affordable, transitional housing, along with guidance, structure, and support, to help prepare them for living out in the community. This comprehensive program also helps youth achieve their educational and employment goals.
Youth are referred to the program by a social worker, often through CHV’s Crisis Program, or by community partners. When accepted, youth are asked to commit to at least one year in residence, while advancing their education, employment, or other goals.
While in ROP, youth live in their own studio-style apartments, and share a kitchen and common space with other residents. Youth in ROP pay a small program fee to replicate the expense of rent. Youth are supported by a variety of staff including youth workers, social workers, mentors, and a life skills coordinator.
While residing in ROP, each youth has the opportunity to create a unique plan to build the skills needed to support them in the next step of their journey. While a youth is in residence, ROP provides:
- A fully furnished, private apartment, throughout the entirety of their stay
- 24-hour staff support
- Daily dinners, and light groceries
- Individualized goal setting and action plans with a social worker
- Life skills, such as time management, budgeting, and cooking
- Support to help maintain employment and/or to develop an education plan
- Recreational and wellness opportunities
- Housing transition planning, for those ready to live in the community
As part of ROP’s innovative approach, community building is prioritized among the youth in the program. The goal is to have youth see their new spaces as their home and want to help to create a supportive and engaging community. This could involve leading or participating in various committees dedicated to gardening, cultural celebrations, or recreational activities. Leading a committee will help youth foster a deeper sense of belonging among their peers, while they build leadership skills.
Once a youth is ready to transition from the program, the sum of their program fee is returned to them, which provides them with a nest egg, as they begin living in the community. Youth can still access support from CHV, through ROP’s dedicated Community Transition Coordinator, their social worker, or through the Drop-In Centre. Staff follow up with youth who have moved out at the regular intervals of three, six, nine, and 12 months, after youth have moved out on their own.
Enjoy the virtual tour of Rights of Passage
Thank you for reading about CHV’s Rights of Passage program. We are thrilled to now share with you a virtual tour of the renovated ROP building, with your host, Deb Lester, CEO of Covenant House Vancouver.
