Victoria Youth Empowerment Society

The Victoria Youth Empowerment Society [YES] provides responsive, individualized support to youth & their families, walking alongside them to build safety, stability, & connection while strengthening well-being and independence. We offer the following diverse programs to provide opportunities for growth and success to youth and their families, all at no cost:


Daytime Youth Drop-In:

Drop-In to 5

33 Yates Street during the day (Monday to Friday) for help with housing, employment, basic needs, drugs and alcohol, mental health or just support and a safe place to be! Alliance Club:

Looking for a safe place to hang out in the evening? We welcome all youth ages 13 to 19 who may be hanging out downtown. We provide supper and snacks, access to showers and laundry, free hygiene products and clothing, along with recreation and leisure activities including access to computers, free internet access, pool table, video games, television/movies, board games, music, arts and crafts, and books. Alliance Cub is open Monday to Thursday 3pm – 9:30pm at 533 Yates Street


Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter:

Need somewhere to sleep tonight? Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter (KEYS) provides youth 13 to 18 with emergency shelter when they have no other safe housing alternatives. (ages of 13-18) who are in crisis and have no safe housing alternatives. KEYS accepts referrals and provides assistance 24 hours, 7 days a week. Admission is voluntary and the consent of the legal guardian is required in order for a youth to access services. Life Skills Program:

Need one-on-one or group support with housing, employment, relationships, school, family or other ares of your life? Life Skills Counsellors will help youth ages 12 to 19 develop the tools and skills necessary to successfully transition to independence. Supported Independent Living Program:

Need help transitioning to independence? The Supported Independent Living Program (SIL) assists current and former youth in care (ages 15-23) with housing and personal support to create a smooth transition to independence and adulthood. Summer Opportunities Program:

Looking for something healthy and safe to do over the summer months? The Summer Opportunities Program (SOP) provides youth (ages 13 to 19) with fun and healthy recreational activities and outings. Specialized Youth Detox:

Need drug and alcohol support? Specialized Youth Detox (SYD) is a 5 bed non-medical withdrawal management facility serving the youth of Vancouver Island. SYD is a voluntary program for youth (ages 13 to 18) that require acute physical detoxification. The program offers youth the ability to stay up to 10 days to detox and stabilize both physically and emotionally. Youth & Family Support Services:

Looking for family counselling and support? The Youth and Family Support Services Program (YFSS) consists of two counsellors who provide short term support and longer term counselling to youth (ages 12-19) and their families. Youth Services Outreach Program:

Are you looking to get connected to services and receive some short term support to get your life on track? Our Youth Services Outreach Team provides youth (ages 12 – 19) with short-term support to resolve current and emerging issues,facilitate prevention/diversion, and provide referrals and crisis intervention to reduce risk to youth and their families.