Labour Day marks the change of season as friends and families enjoy one last get-together of the summer and students prepare to return to school.
Labour Day is also a time to reflect on the importance of, and show our appreciation for, the many workers who make a positive, often life-sustaining impact on our lives. From farmers, grocery store clerks, drivers, and factory workers, to teachers and healthcare workers, we thank you all!
For many, Labour Day is a time to relax while enjoying a day off work, but for Covenant House Vancouver’s (CHV) frontline staff, Labour Day is a day like any other. CHV staff continue to provide the important services and programs to the youth we support every day.
It takes a village to raise a child, and at Covenant House, it takes a full complement of office staff, frontline workers, and volunteers to provide support for youth in need.
Covenant House is here to help young people, aged 16 to 24, who have been impacted by various forms of trauma such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. They may have been forced from their homes, experienced human trafficking, or aged out of foster care with no supports.
Whichever of CHV’s programs youth access, all youth will be served with relentless support, absolute respect, and unconditional love while receiving whole-person care from a wide range of amazing professionals including social workers, youth workers, peer support workers, outreach workers, spiritual care practitioners, and so many more.
And CHV’s frontline staff are supported by our office staff, managers, directors, and volunteers, all of whom play a vital role in working together to provide the stability and structure necessary for youth to build a positive future.
Currently, young people face many challenges in the labour force in BC, including vulnerability to employer abuses, health and safety risks, and precarious employment.
In July 2024, British Columbia’s unemployment rate for youth, aged 15 to 24, rose to 11.9%. According to Labour Force Statistics Highlights, this age category lost 8,700 full-time positions while 3,400 part-time positions were added.
CHV’s Rights of Passage program and the Crisis Program focus on helping youth develop 10 categories of life skills that include career and education planning, employment, legal rights and safety, time management, money management, and relationships and communication, all skills that prepare youth to be successful in the work force.
At Covenant House Vancouver, supporting youth is a labour of love.
We extend a huge thank you to all of the CHV staff who work together to make a positive difference in the lives of youth every day!