Career Help? 1-877-777-6805
“Be good to yourself: Realize your best potential.”
NYSA encourages and empowers youth to reach their fullest potential.
For over 52 years (since 1969), NYSA has provided a range of housing, employment, and skills training programs and supports to youth in the City of Nanaimo and throughout the mid-Vancouver Island regions of British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Since 2007, NYSA has provided its program supports to youth in the Comox Valley, a region on Vancouver Island that encompasses the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, and Village of Cumberland. For NYSA, a youth is identified as a person between the ages of 15 to 30 years.
NYSA programs and supports for youth incorporate elements of basic life skills, practical employment readiness, and physical wellness trainings.
Youth seeking employment skills training opportunities can explore the award-winning BladeRunners program at NYSA and also NYSA’s new DiverseFutures program. These programs are available to youth without charge, with all industry certificate costs paid for by NYSA and, in the case of DiverseFutures, youth are even paid a wage to participate.
The Youth Housing program of NYSA operates two housing complexes that are owned by NYSA; 1001 Waddington and Rowe House. NYSA’s Youth Housing provides supportive and affordable housing options for youth, those between the ages of 16 and 25 years who live in the Nanaimo region.
The “L2N Driving Practice Program” (L2N) of NYSA provides an opportunity for youth with a B.C. “L” class driver’s licence to acquire the “seat time” and driving skills required to pass the ICBC Class 7 (N) Road Test in B.C. The program then opens youth to benefit from employment opportunities that require a B.C. Class 7 driver’s licence. L2N is offered to youth for a nominal fee-for-service to offset some of the overheads costs of operating a motor vehicle.
In partnership with local school boards and offered without charge, NYSA’s Kids4Kids program provides a safe, fun and supportive place where children can learn and grow by a focus on developing life skills that engage activities such as cooking, sewing, creating crafts, and playing team sports.
NYSA’s SLP provides life-skills support to youth referred by the Government of B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development. SLP operates on both an individual and group basis, with its goal being to help youth assume responsibility and be successful while living independently.
The Jump-In summer program at NYSA is offered by referral from the Special Needs team of the Government of B.C.’s Ministry of Children and Family Development.
