Youth Futures

Youth in rural communities often lack clear pathways from high school to post-secondary education, training programs, or employment. This can be compounded by other barriers including poverty, racism, lack of adult support, and poor mental or physical health. CBYF communities designed initiatives that engaged a diverse range of community members to offer a more holistic array of education options and supports.

To succeed in a chosen career, youth need a series of opportunities that incrementally increase their capacity for success. These opportunities not only help young people practice their job skills they also enable youth to grow confidence in their abilities. This makes them more likely to invest in higher education or training programs in the future. 

Almost all CIF initiatives engaged youth experiencing food insecurity, insufficient housing, or other issues securing basic needs. Across the board, when CIF projects addressed these gaps in basic needs, youth had more energy to focus on graduating from school and transitioning into further education or employment. These supports may have required small investments in innovation, funds, or time but had significant impacts on youth success when offered in conjunction with education and employment initiatives.  

Accessing services can be a stigmatizing and emotionally vulnerable experience for youth, compounded by the fact that many young people do not know what services are available to them. CIF initiatives focused on integrating existing service providers, metal health supports, and adult mentors to create holistic ‘webs of support’ that helped youth overcome multiple barriers to success.  

CBYF leadership teams acknowledge that youth are the ultimate subject matter experts. Youth have strong opinions on what initiatives and services they want and are much more likely to participate when their feedback is genuinely respected. Leadership opportunities in a CIF project often served as a stepping stone for youth, helping them gain relevant job experience and encouraging them to take up further leadership positions.  

Young people need to feel like valued and respected members of a community to realize their potential in education and employment. Opportunities for social connection and cultural identity are so important for youth because supportive adult allies and peer mentors can increase youth confidence and help them prepare for new challenges in the future.