“I want cookies. Cookies always make people feel good.” The conversation in the room grew, became more animated and an idea was born. “Let’s give the cookies to people and say – Hey, we’re from Autumn House. This is who we are. Support us.”
We are talking about youth who are in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). They are between the ages of 16 – 19, have a social worker, and have been referred to the Youth Agreement or an Independent Living Agreement. The transition from youth to adulthood is hard enough but these youth need extra support in developing independent living skills.
“The kids want everybody in Abbotsford to know that the program exists”, say Youth Outreach Worker Lisa Hedrick. “They want Abbotsford to know that these kids exist and that they are really trying to learn differently. They are trying to make changes so that they can enjoy the rest of their lives.”
They want Abbotsford to know that these kids exist and that they are really trying to learn differently. They are trying to make changes so that they can enjoy the rest of their lives.
Raising Awareness
Autumn House is a collaborative project that has defined what a youth housing program can be. The youth that make their home at Autumn House develop the necessary skills and values to live successfully when they move to their own place in the community. In more simple terms, Autumn House gives youth an opportunity to practice living on their own. It is their practicum for life. An Abbotsford Community Services youth worker and a youth mentor provide services and support for youth living in their own apartments.
About Autumn House
So back to the cookies. They call it the ‘Cookie Bombing Campaign’. Autumn House youth along with staff are delivering boxes of cookies to individuals and businesses in Abbotsford in an effort to thank those who already support the program and to bring more awareness and generate more partnerships in the community.
Immediate Need
They (the youth and the program) need a home. To find out what that means and for more information about the program, view the video below:
The ideal situation is for a developer to step forward with an apartment block of a minimum of 8 units to donate to the Autumn House program. And if nothing else, the youth would like you to be talking to all your friends and neighbors about Autumn House.
The more that people know about Autumn House and the need, the more likely good things will happen.