Inner City Youth Alive
Description:
INNER CITY YOUTH ALIVE (ICYA) is a registered charity in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Its mission is “to bring hope and a future through Christ to youth and their families in the inner city.” It works from 418 Aberdeen Avenue in the North End, which it describes as one of the poorest and most under-served areas in Winnipeg and Canada, with young people who often face poverty, abuse and neglect. ICYA names three values: local (working in the heart of the North End), relational (walking alongside each person through struggles and successes) and transformational (empowering local leaders).
Programs
ICYA offers a safe, active and nurturing environment for children and youth, built around relationships with mentors. Its programs include:
- Bridge Drop-In: a recreational centre for children and youth aged 5 to 19, open four nights a week at 418 Aberdeen Avenue
- Meals 4 Kids: healthy meals served during Bridge Drop-In evenings, averaging 830 meals a month
- Gem Lake Wilderness Camp: wilderness camping in Nopiming Provincial Park, about 250 km north of Winnipeg, with one leader for each camper
- Engage Education: mentoring and academic support to help children, youth and families reach their schooling goals
- Fast Track: a 12-week incentivized construction training program for North End young adults aged 18 to 25, with financial literacy, resume building and communication skills
- Step Up Construction: a renovation and contracting business that employs inner city youth and young adults
- Community Ministry, Story Studio and the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, which support families, storytelling and leadership