Life Skills Program

Horizons for Youth’s Life Skills Program runs daily from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm, with additional special events on some evenings and weekends. The Life Skills Program is designed to give youth the tools they need to live independently and excel in their lives. Life skills are taught in a variety of ways in this program. Youth develop these skills through formal and informal workshops, recreational activities and real life situations.

Life skills are defined as the skills individuals need to make the most out of life. These skills promote self-sufficiency and are useful in navigating the challenges individuals face throughout their lives. Life skills may include, but are not limited to, money management, employment training, housing preparation, education and training, health and well-being, daily living skills, personal and social development and legal rights and responsibilities. An effective life skills training program can help at-risk youth secure stable employment, maintain independent housing and integrate into the community.

Homeless and at-risk youth often lack many important life skills. Since many homeless youth have not had stable family situations, they have not had opportunities to learn and practice many important skills, such as managing money, cooking, shopping, running a home or maintaining social networks. These are typically skills children in stable and supportive home environments learn from observing their parents or guardians. Alternatively, some homeless youth may have developed some of these skills in their early lives, but lost them due to chronic homelessness. Our Life Skills Program, therefore, has five key goals, which promote self-sufficiency and independence.

1.assist youth prepare for and find employment

Our Life Skills Coordinator leads employment preparation classes that focus on pre-employment training, self-discovery, job certifications and job search assistance.

2.Help youth prepare for independent housing

Our Housing Worker, Life Skills Coordinator and community partners teach youth skills related to financial literacy, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, and household management.

3. Teach youth important food skills so they are able to make healthy choices

Our Life Skills Coordinator leads Cooking 101 classes and nutrition programming to provide youth with the knowledge, tools and confidence to cook and choose healthy food for themselves.

4. Motivate youth to practice an active lifestyle

We provide youth with opportunities to participate in volleyball games, boot camp classes and yoga classes, in addition to trips to the local recreation centre, helping youth enhance their physical and mental wellness.

5. Help youth develop skills that contribute to their personal growth and social development

Through formal and informal workshops, recreational activities and real life situations, we assist youth improve many skills including leadership, time management, organization, emotional regulation, self-discipline, self-care, conflict management, problem-solving and communication.

If you would like to host a skill development workshop at Horizons for Youth, please contact us at info@horizonsforyouth.org