SUPPORTING VANCOUVER’S
MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH

No youth ever chooses to be homeless

At Directions Youth Services, we support some of the region’s most vulnerable young people. We know that the pathways to homelessness are numerous. Youth may come from low-income families, have experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse and neglect, or struggle with addiction. Many are marginalized by their race, gender, or cognitive impairments. 

Significantly, many of the youth we serve at Directions have low self-confidence and question their sense of belonging – in their family, school, or community. The systems in their lives have failed them. 

However a young person became unhoused, they deserve compassion, respect, autonomy, and access to resources. That's where we come in.

Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV) plays a unique role in providing youth-informed support to unhoused youth. We believe that as a society, we are responsible for our children and youth. Responsible for their health and wellbeing. Responsible for their futures. It is our responsibility to ensure our children and youth are safely housed.

Learn more about Directions Youth Services.

See our Annual Report 2022/23 for more impacts and stories.

Our supports

Shelter

We operate an overnight shelter and an emergency weather response shelter from our Drop-In Centre. For longer-term support, youth can access one of our two emergency safehouses, and the 10K program is a resource for youth aging out of government care.  

Education and life skills

Our Street Youth Job Action program offers same-day pay, and we provide life skills development through 10K and our two safehouses. The Drop-In Centre is also home to our 2SLGBTQIA+ and arts programming, as well as cultural workshops.

Food 

The Drop-In Centre is our hub for food programming, a place where youth can grab a snack 24/7 and get a hot dinner every night at 8 pm.

Health and mental health

We connect youth to healthcare and counselling, including FSGV trauma counselling programs and other community resources.

About Family Services of Greater Vancouver

FSGV has supported vulnerable children, youth, and families across the Lower Mainland since 1928. We offer programs and services that help people develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to create positive change in their lives. Our programs span poverty reduction, crisis support, and counselling, with experienced counsellors and support workers operating from an evidence-based, trauma-informed lens to build brighter tomorrows.