For guidance and support on many issues facing today's youth, check out the following links available on a local (Abbotsford), provincial (British Columbia) and national (Canada) level:
Racism - Abbotsford
Info on how to stop racism and discrimination; find out about a workshop for your class. Contact: Abbotsford Community Services Diversity Education & Resource Services (DEARS)
Join other community members to address racism and hate, and support victims of discrimination. Contact: Fraser Valley Human Dignity Coalition
Check out the Coalition’s tumblr site here
Check this out if you’re between 15-25 and you’ve lived in Canada for less than 5 years. Contact: Immigrant Youth and Young Adult Program
If you’re new to Canada and going to school. Contact: Settlement Workers In Schools (SWIS)
If you just moved to Canada join others to learn more about Canada or if you’ve grown up here volunteer to help newcomers. Contact: Youth Buddy Program (Friendship Across Cultures Program)
Aboriginal students can get more info on special events and presentations for your class. Contact: Aboriginal Education Centre
Programs and info for Sto:lo youth. Contact: Sto:lo Nation Youth
Youth aged 12- 18 who self-identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit can participate in camps. Contact: Xyolhemeylh (Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services)
Racism - British Columbia
Check out how you can respond to racism and promote diversity in your community. Contact: Youth Ambassador – Standing Up For Diversity
Programs for Aboriginal youth. Contact: Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre of SACS
Racism - Canada
See videos created by youth in previous years and submit your own video for this March 21! Contact: Racism. Stop It!
Find more info and links on how to respond to discrimination. Contact: Youth Action Network – Resource Action Centre
Join other Aboriginal youth in creating art, writing, and photography in response to discrimination. Contact: Redwire Native Youth Media
Homophobia and Heterosexism - Abbotsford
Youth aged 14 – 24 who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgendered, and questioning, and their friends are welcome to drop – in to a safe space for support and fun. Contact: Fraser Valley Youth Society
Homophobia and Heterosexism - British Columbia
Queer youth, their friends, family and allies, can get support and more information. Contact: Qmunity GAB Youth
A list of links for Queer youth in BC. Contact: BC Resources For Youth (by Qmunity)
Transgender Health Program - Youth Info and groups for transgender youth. Contact: Transgender Health Program – Youth
Homophobia and Heterosexism - Canada
Peer support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, 2-spirited, questioning and queer youth. Contact: Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youthline
Problems At Home - Abbotsford
Get help if you’re having problems at home, with family, at school, or with friends. Contact: Abbotsford Community Services Youth Resource Centre
Get help with depression or other mental health concerns. Contact: Child and Youth Mental Health
Go here if you’ve seen abuse happen. Contact: Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford Children Who Witness Abuse Program
Emergency housing for homeless youth. Contact: All Nations Youth Safe House
Problems At Home - British Columbia
Info, links and support through instant messenger with a trained volunteer on a variety of topics (e.g. bullying, eating disorders, getting help…) Contact: Youth In BC
For help and support if you’re not feeling safe at home. Contact: Ministry of Children and Family Development
You can call 24 hours a day to get help when you’re not safe at home. Contact: Children’s Help Line
Problems At Home - Canada
If you need help you can post a question, talk to someone, or take surveys.Contact: Kids Help Phone
Drugs and Alcohol - Abbotsford
Get info and support if you or someone you know is abusing drugs and/or alcohol. Contact: Abbotsford Community Services Abbotsford Addictions Centre
Get info and help on drug and alcohol addictions. Contact: Impact Society
If you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol and need support during withdrawal. Contact: Fraser Health Authority Creekside Withdrawal Management Unit
Drugs and Alcohol - British Columbia
Attend a meeting if your use or someone else’s use of alcohol is affecting your life. Contact: Al-Anon Family Groups & Al-A-Teen
See reminders for why drinking and driving is a bad idea. Contact: ICBC Drinking and Driving
Drugs and Alcohol - Canada
Find out drug facts, get help, and use your voice. Contact: Not 4 Me
Health, Sex and Relationships - Abbotsford
Youth Clinic is open in Abbotsford for info and appointments.
There are several walk-in clinics in Abbotsford find the locations at this link. Contact: Walk-In Clinics in Abbotsford
If you’re pregnant you can connect with other moms and get support. Contact: Abbotsford Community Services Best For Babies Program
If you’re a young parent with children ages 0-3 this can help you finish high school and learn parenting skills. Contact: New Beginnings Program
If you’re pregnant or raising a young child you can get support from trained Christian staff. Contact: Fraser Valley Pregnancy Centre
If you are pregnant you can get support from trained Christian staff. Contact: Hope Pregnancy and Adoption Services
For information on what is sexual exploitation and getting support. Contact: SEY (Stop Exploiting Youth) Program
Get confidential information and testing for STIs. Contact: Abbotsford STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) Clinic
Ask questions and get treatment for STIs. Contact: Abbotsford Options for Sexual Health Clinic
Get support and education if you are living with or affected by HIV & AIDS. Contact: Mennonite Central Committee Abbotsford Area HIV & Aids Support Group
To get info on psychosis and how to get help. Contact: Fraser Health Early Psychosis Intervention Program
Health, Sex and Relationships - British Columbia
Info on everything to do with health in BC. Contact: HealthLink BC
Info on health and being a patient at Children’s Hospital. Contact: Youth Health Program
Get free, confidential and non-judgmental information on sexual health. Contact: Options for Sexual Health Sex Sense Line
Info on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Contact: STD Resource
Health, Sex and Relationships - Canada
Info on sex and health. Contact: Sexuality and U
Info on everything to do with health in Canada. Contact: Just for You – Youth
Not Fitting In - Abbotsford
Check out a variety of sports and activity programs including basketball, floor hockey open gym times, soccer, dance, art, theatre, and fun field trips. Contact: Abbotsford Youth Commission
Places to go and play pool, Play Station 3, X-Box or just kick back and relax with your friends. Contact: Abbotsford Youth Commission
Here is some fun information about Neonology, educational resources, and opportunities to have a workshop or event at your school. Follow them on twitter.
Not Fitting In - British Columbia
Places to go in the Vancouver area. Contact: Vancouver Youth
Places to go in the Victoria area. Contact: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria
Not Fitting In - Canada
If You’re in Ontario Contact: Youth Connect
If you’re in the Toronto area Contact: For Youth Initiative
If you’re in the Calgary area Contact: Youth Services Guide
If you’re in the Ottawa area Contact: Youth Zone
If you’re in the Edmonton area Contact: Youth Programs
If you’re in the Saskatoon area Contact: Egadz
If you’re in the Winnipeg area Contact: United Way Winnipeg Youth
If you’re in Quebec Contact: Centre Jeunesse de Quebec
If you’re in Newfoundland and Labrador Contact: Allied Youth
If you’re in the Moncton area Contact: YMCA Youth Zone
If you’re in Nova Scotia Contact: Heatwood Centre for Community Youth Development
If you’re in Prince Edward Island Contact: Allied Youth
Not Enough Money - Abbotsford
Get help in finding a job. Contact: CARE (Career Assistance and Resources for Employment)
Get help in finding a job and job training. Contact: Métis Skills and Employment Centre Blade Runners Program
Get help to find a job. Contact: Myert Corps Inc. Youth Employment Resource Centre
Not Enough Money - British Columbia
No links just for the Province at this time. Check out the links for Canada below
Not Enough Money - Canada
Get info on finding a job and education in Canada. Contact: Youth
Involved with Street life - Abbotsford
Info on getting food. Contact: Abbotsford Community Services Abbotsford Food Bank
Get help if you’re having problems at home, with family, at school, or with friends. Contact: Youth Resource Centre
Info on where there are daily free meals or snacks in Abbotsford. Contact: The 5 and 2 Ministries
Youth can get a hot lunch and dinner at the Sikh Temple. Drugs, cigarettes or alcohol are prohibited in the Sikh Temple and footwear must be removed while in the temple. Contact: Gurdwara Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Sikh Society (Sikh Temple) (604) 746 – 1700 or Gurdwara Sahib Kalgidhar Darbar Sikh Society (Sikh Temple)
A safe place to go if you need support and are involved with street life. Contact: Cyrus Centre
If you’re over 19 you can get a hot meal and other food. Contact: Salvation Army Centre of Hope
Involved with Street life - British Columbia
If you’re thinking of running away or you’re on the streets. Contact: Covenant House
Involved with Street life - Canada
If you’re thinking of running away or you’re on the streets. Contact: Covenant House
Being in Foster Care - Abbotsford
Get support and be heard. Contact: Youth Resource Centre
Being in Foster Care - British Columbia
Get support if you’re a youth in care (e.g. in a foster home, group home or youth custody centres.) Contact: Federation of BC Youth In Care Networks
Info and help for youth in care that’s not from a social worker, your parents, or foster parents. Contact: Representative For Children And Youth (BC)
Being in Foster Care - Canada
Get support if you’re a youth in care (e.g. in a foster home, group home or youth custody centres.) Contact: Youth In Care Canada
Crime and Violence - Abbotsford
Get help if you’re having problems at home, with family, at school, or with friends. There are also programs for youth on probation or court orders. Contact: Youth Resource Centre
Get emotional support if you’ve been a victim of a crime. Contact: Specialized Victim Assistance Program
Speak to an officer 24/7 if you are or know someone that is involved in criminal activity and want help. Contact: Abbotsford Police Department Youth Gang Help Line
Get support if you’re being sexually exploited. Contact: Directions Youth Services
Victims or offenders of crime can get help to solve an incident without going to court. Contact: Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association Restorative Justice Program
Get info about sexual exploitation. Contact: Fraser Valley Community Action Team
If you’re South Asian you and your family can get support. Contact: South Asian Community Resource Office (SACRO)
For fun sports and a safe place to be away from crime. Contact: Youthemes
Crime and Violence - British Columbia
Get info on preventing and responding to online sexual exploitation. Contact: Safe Online Outreach Society
Call 24/7 to report a crime, violent incident or talk about a problem. Contact: Youth Against Violence Line
Text 24/7 to give tips on crimes that have happened. Contact: Crime Stoppers Hotline – Text Message a Tip using Keyword BCTIP to 274637
Crime and Violence - Canada
Confidentially report online sexual exploitation. Contact: Respect Yourself
General Information - Abbotsford
You can borrow items on various topics and get access to the internet. Clearbrook Library
Mount Lehman Library
MSA Centennial Library
Adults can support youth by supporting the StandUp4Youth Campaign.
General Information - Canada
Info on finding a job, getting your driver’s licence, moving out, travelling, etc. Contact: Youth Canada
Know of a resource link we should list here? Let us know by contacting letyouthbelong@hotmail.com