1. DirectionsYouth Services Centre News
Vol. 1 | Summer 2009
Direction’s Street Youth Job Action (SYJA)
program was honoured at Vancouver City
Hall with a 2009 Access and Inclusion
Award. The award, announced by mayor
Gregor robertson, recognizes organizations
and individuals for enhancing accessibility,
inclusion, and eliminating barriers that
prevent those with disabilities from taking
part in society.
SYJA, which won in the “organization” category,
was selected by an independent jury based on
the program’s achievement, efforts, scope, and
originality—along with the impact of its activities.
SYJA provides pre-employment training for youth
who are homeless, living in at-risk situations, or
those facing various barriers to employment.
Vancouver City Hall noted the program offers work
experience that is ‘vital to the development of
their self-esteem and work ethic.’ The program was
praised for providing basic needs, improving the
physical and mental health of youth, and fostering
involvement, empowerment and creativity. 
Street Youth Job Action
Street Youth Job Action
(SYJA) is a social enterprise
initiative of Directions Youth
Services Centre that provides
mentoring and development opportunities for
homeless youth in Vancouver. The project is set
up to give these youth a chance to learn a set
of skills and behaviours to prepare them for the
workforce—skills like teamwork, punctuality,
communication, getting along with others,
a strong work ethic, and what it means
to be part of a community.
How does it work?
SYJA’s community partners provide employment
opportunities for the youth. The jobs include
street cleaning, needle sweep, janitorial work,
and other labour services.
city Hall Honours the Street Youth
Job Action Program DiD YoU
KnoW?
During the month of June,
SYJA youth:
removed 3673 needles•
from the downtown core
and eastside;
cleaned 508 blocks•
(removed 73 bags of
garbage);
painted 86 waste•
management bins.
SYJA also:
employed 74 youth;•
helped two youth•
return to their home
communities;
transitioned three•
youth into full time
construction jobs;
provided a practicum•
placement for a youth
from educacenter.Ange myers, (left) Youth Worker/SYJA Alumni and
renata Aebi, Director of Youth & employment Services,
receive the award from mayor Gregor robertson.
Street Youth Job Action provides youth with a chance to
learn a set of skills to prepare them for the workforce.
PHOTO:COURTESYOFMINGPAO
FAmIlY SerVICeS oF GreATer VANCouVer
continued on page 2.

2. Directions Youth Services
Centre, operated by
Family Services of Greater
Vancouver, provides
Vancouver’s homeless
youth and youth at-risk
with a single entry point to
access the tools, support,
and guidance they so
desperately need to go
about making healthy,
positive changes in their
lives. Directions strives
to be accessible to all
youth, regardless of their
circumstances and fosters
a culture of respect.
Directions Youth Services
Centre is working closely
with the community to
develop solutions to end
youth homelessness in
Vancouver and to change
the community’s perception
of street-involved youth.
DirectionsYouth Services Centre News
Vol. 1 | Summer 2009
Mary’s Story
When I lived in Vancouver in 2000, SYJA was
the only thing that got me out of bed & doing
something on a daily basis.
At the time I was on welfare and had no hope
of getting a decent job. Sure I had done job
searching. I even had help from a professional
agency. I changed my hair, dressed nice & even
smelled clean but I still couldn’t get even a lousy
restaurant job.
I started at Direction’s SYJA by getting daily jobs.
After working for a while, I had proved I could
show up everyday on time for an extended period
so SYJA gave me a regular position on the ‘3
bridges clinic’ needle sweep route.
Not a dream job, especially on rainy days but the
money was always welcome & it felt good to have
earned it honestly.
At SYJA I also perfected my English, people skills,
some computer knowledge and it taught me
a great deal about responsibilities. It was the
first real job I could put on my resume. It read
“biohazard waste removal & collection”—not bad!
Had it not been for this program, I would have
probably spent my days doing a bunch of ‘not so
legal stuff’—you get the drift.
Now I work at Citi Cards Canada in London
Ontario as a bilingual credit verifier. Mom of 3,
soon 4, I doubt I would have gotten this far, this
fast, if it hadn’t been for working with SYJA.
SYJA has gotta be the most beneficial program
I’ve ever come across as a street youth. There
should be more programs like this one available.
Thanks, you guys. 
For more
info on
Directions
please contact:
Renata Aebi, Director
Directions Youth
Services Centre
Family Services of
Greater Vancouver
1134 Burrard Street,
Vancouver
Phone: 604.633.1472
E-mail: raebi@fsgv.ca
www.fsgv.ca
In order to qualify for work, the youths are
required to arrive at the Directions Centre clean,
sober, and on time. Staff assigns them jobs and
duties that are available for the day. After the
youths have completed their tasks, they are paid
that same day for services delivered.
Community Partners:
City of Vancouver•
Downtown Vancouver Business•
Improvement Association
CP Rail•
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority•
Waste Management•
Age served:
Youth between the ages of 15 to 24
If you are interested in becoming a community
partner or for more information, please contact:
Anne Costello at 604.633.1472 ext. 3552
or Ange Myers at 778.898.7354 or
amyers@fsgv.ca. 
… continued from page 1.
Directions Youth Services Centre:
Working to Help and End Youth
Homelessness — www.fsgv.ca