Aboriginal Youth Homelessness in Manitoba. Kelly Holmes, Executive Director Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc.

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1 Aboriginal Youth Homelessness in Manitoba Kelly Holmes, Executive Director Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc.

2 Overview 1. Aboriginal Population in Manitoba 2. Special risks of homeless Aboriginal youth at RaY Inc. 3. Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc. 4. Reflections and Recommendations 5. Housing First for Aboriginal youth homelessness

3 Aboriginal population in Manitoba 16.7% of the total population in Manitoba (Statistics Canada, 2011) Winnipeg has the largest urban Aboriginal population in Canada, 10% (Stat Canada, 2009) Child poverty capital: 62% of Aboriginal children are living below the poverty line (Mcdonald & Wilson, 2013) 70-80% of the children in care are Aboriginal (2010, CCPA) 71.3% of youth admitted into correctional services (2010/2011 Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics) 111 missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Manitoba (Pearce, 2013)

4 Winnipeg GANGS The African Mafia The B-Side (Broadway Boys) Hells Angels The Central Indian Posse Manitoba Warriors Independent Soldiers LHS: Loyalty Honor Silence Mad Cowz Native Syndicate Most Organized Brothers MS-13 Outlaws MC Redd Alerts Redlined Support Club The Rock Machine United Nations Zig Zag Crew Westside Outlaws Posse Killas For 16 of the past 33 years, Winnipeg has been Canada s MURDER CAPITAL

5 Homelessness: overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth 57.7% of homeless youth self-identify as Overrepresenation of Aboriginal Youth 35% Aboriginal non-aboriginal Unsure Aboriginal (n=177) 58% 7%

6 Structural causes Aboriginal youth exiting CFS continue to experience high rates of poverty and the housing challenges faced by their parents Colonialism Residential Schools 60s Scoop Child Welfare Intergenerational Trauma Poverty Mental health and addictions

7 Aboriginal Homeless Youth Data from RaY s 360 Evaluation

8 Special risk factors: Aboriginal homeless youth at RaY Aboriginal homeless youth are significantly more likely to have been a ward of CFS, F(1,165)=17.35, p< % of Aboriginal youth reported being wards of CFS at some point, versus 29.8% of the non-aboriginal youth Aboriginal non Aboriginal CFS no-cfs

9 Special risk factors: more deprivation Slept outdoors more often, F(1, 143)=11.09, p<.01 More likely to engage in panhandling, squeegeeing and flagging for their main income, F(1,159)=12.97, p<.05 More likely to have stolen for food, clothing and rent F(1,155)=5.57, p<.05 75% of Sexually Exploited Youth in Manitoba are Aboriginal (est.)

10 Special risk factors: racism and harassment More likely to report having been harassed by police or cadets F(1,157)=4.21, p<.05 More likely to report having been harassed by the public F(1,157)=14.99, p<.001 More likely to report having been ticketed for vagrancy or trespassing F(1,159)=12.30, p<.001

11 Special risk factors: mental health Aboriginal youth were not self-reporting more mental health issues than non-aboriginal youth (p>.05) But, they were more likely to self-report having learning disabilities F(1,171)=6.34, p<.05

12 Aboriginal youth: not a homogeneous population Homeless Aboriginal youth in Winnipeg are not a homogeneous population. Unique experiences, future goals, strengths and aspirations. As a result of cultural genocide, their connection to and interpretation of their Aboriginal culture and their spiritual beliefs may vary. Some may feel: proud, ashamed, indifferent and/or fearful Hence, tailoring to individual needs. RaY is a neutral space

13 Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc. A holistic and youth-centered approach

14 Resource Assistance for Youth, Inc. Mission To provide youth with what they need, on their terms, to better their lives Only one rule RESPECT Objective RaY staff interconnect and bridge together opportunities customized to the individual so that youth can transition into self sufficiency in a safe and healthy way.

15 Resource Assistance for Youth: What we do and how it works Youthcentered/focused Mental Health and Addictions Nonjudgmental Harm-reduction 0-25 years old 7 Determinants of Housing Youth Basic Needs/Drop In Strength-based Gender sensitive health Voluntary/non Integrated Services Training and Employment Mandatory

16 RaY s: Program responses Aboriginal youth RISK FACTORS Trust issues with systems Cultural identity issues Intergenerational trauma Poverty, poor housing Lack of familial/community supports Institutional racism RaY, Inc. PROTECTIVE FACTORS Voluntary, non-mandatory Provision of cultural activities; partnerships with Aboriginal services Mental health and addiction supports; Referrals to existing services, as needed Employment opportunities; Housing supports; Housing: REST Program; Long-term trusting relationships, place of belonging Advocacy navigating systems

17 How does the model work for Aboriginal youth? Aboriginal youth accessed RaY services more often than non-aboriginal youth, F(1,168)=14.58, p<.001 Aboriginal youth participants were not significantly different in their evaluation of RaY services than non-aboriginal youth, in all measures including: Recommending RaY to a friend Continue using RaY's services, supports or supplies in the future Staff listens to what I have to say, understand my needs and issues, accesses services for me if needed, responds to my concerns, respects confidentiality

18 Reflection and Recommendations

19 Lessons 1. Youth-centered, youth-driven, youth-focused Tailoring to individual needs 2. Culturally competent Understanding history, staff training Compatibility with Aboriginal teachings Partnerships with Aboriginal community 3. Evidence-based program design Integration of services Harm-reduction Housing First with supports 4. Evaluation of services and consultation with Aboriginal youth

20 Recommendation: focus on prevention Focus intervention efforts upstream, where the issues begin, by supporting decolonization efforts: 1. Poverty reduction 2. Advocate for reforms in existing systems such as: CFS, Justice and EIA zero discharge into homelessness

21 Implication for Housing First Stable and decent housing is a human right, not to be contingent on race, sobriety or age But, effectiveness studies of Housing First were conducted with chronically homeless single adults in the USA As any youth, Aboriginal youth experience different challenges: Developmental challenges: physical, cognitive and identity development Lack of experience working and living independently Aboriginal youth also have additional challenges: Structural racism Lack of social supports Conclusion: youth-centered HOUSING FIRST with SUPPORTS BUT: Need for pilots and rigorous evaluations to make sure that adaptations are doing more good than harm

22 Questions, reflections or thoughts? Visit us at: Facebook: Contact Kelly Holmes (ED)at