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Building a Brighter Future for BC’s Homeless Youth

 


As Co-executive Director of Zero Ceiling in Whistler, BC, Sean Easton is committed to creating meaningful outdoor experiences for young people facing homelessness.
 
According to a recent province-wide homelessness count, 11% of the 8,665 individuals without a home are youth. 46% of respondents first experienced homelessness before they were 19 and 36% were in foster care as a child or youth.

11%

of those experiencing houselessness are Youth

Sean believes that homelessness is a crisis resulting from colonial and neo-liberal policies that promote private wealth over the wellbeing of citizens. “Racialized and impoverished youth find themselves on the street as the result of societal marginalization,” he said. “There they face stigma and shame and are blamed for homelessness. Nobody chooses homelessness nor do they deserve it.”
 
Zero Ceiling offers two main programs to help homeless youth: the Work 2 Live program and The Adventure Sessions.
 
The Work 2 Live program serves as a safety net that includes supportive housing, supportive employment, life skills education, mental health services, land-based programming, and individualized person-centered supports to help young people heal and create a plan for the future. 
 
Nobody chooses homelessness nor do they deserve it.
The Adventure Sessions offers no-cost outdoor recreation opportunities for young people aged 16-25 who are often excluded from the outdoors. Based in the mountains of Whistler, BC, The Adventure Sessions gives young people a chance to connect with nature and each other.
 
 “Nature feeds the soul,” said Sean. “As we work to decolonize and indigenize our programs, we are re-understanding the role the outdoors plays in our programs. We recognize that we are part of nature, and it is important that we stay connected to it. Our land-based programming offers a chance for those in our programs to connect with nature. More than just fun - which we have a lot of - nature provides opportunities to heal.

"Nature feeds the soul."

Sean Easton, on why outdoor access in the Sea to Sky corridor matters.

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Learn more about Zero Ceiling

Work 2 Live

is a supportive housing program for young people aged 19-24 who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. Through Work 2 Live, participants gain the stability, skills, and support systems to have a healthy transition to adulthood. The program offers supportive housing, full-time supportive employment, life skills education, case management, outdoor recreation, and wraparound supports to help young people build healthy, autonomous lives.

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The Adventure Sessions

is an outdoor adventure day-camp for young people aged 16-24 experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We offer no-cost access to the mountains of Whistler, BC, for some of the most marginalized young people in our communities. The program offers snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, and ziplining adventures in a safe environment where young people can relax, have fun, and connect to nature and each other.

Learn more