Jen Crowe

Executive Director, @ChoicesForYouth | Regional Director, @CHRA_ACHRU l Optimist l Lover of hiking, chocolate, and NL

[Jen Crowe @JenCrowe_]

@BoluOgunyemi1 Huge congratulations, Bolu!!!

[Jen Crowe @JenCrowe_]

Thank you, @RotaryStJohnsNW for this kind recognition & for all the amazing work you are leading in the community! 👏

[Rotary St. John's NW @RotaryStJohnsNW]

🎉 Congratulations Jen & Meghan! 🎉 Two deserving recipients of the Northwest Rotary Aidan Maloney Young Professionals Award. Your hard work and dedication are making our community a better place! #CommunityChampions #Rotary

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Did you know Choices for Youth’s Outreach and Youth Engagement (OYE) Centre at Carter’s Hill Place is the first Integrated Youth Services (IYS) site in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Often called “the front door” of CFY, the OYE Centre offers the core services expected of an IYS site 👇

➡️ Primary care, including sexual health services
➡️ Mental health services
➡️ Substance use services
➡️ Public health services
➡️ Social Services
➡️ Youth and family peer support and navigation
➡️ Indigenous programming

IYS is a growing movement in our province and across Canada. The OYE Centre’s model will greatly inform the development of the two future IYS sites that will be established in rural hubs over the next several years.

CFY and @NL_HealthServ are now accepting proposals from community organizations in NL to develop these two new IYS sites. Applications are due Friday, November 15, 2024 ⏱️

Interested in applying? Learn more about the process and get your questions answered at our upcoming webinars 💻

Tuesday, Oct. 1 - 3:00 p.m. NDT (2:30 p.m. in Labrador)
Thursday, Oct. 3 - 9:00 a.m. NDT (8:30 a.m. in Labrador)

Register here 👉 https://t.co/PVfCdk7aan

To learn more about NL IYS, visit the new website 👉 https://t.co/D2h0H3hYjs

Thank you to our funding partners for making this project possible:
@GovNL
@Bell (The Bell-GBF Partnership)
@RBC
@MedavieBC
@NorthpineCanada
#TogetherWeCan

[Jen Crowe @JenCrowe_]

Non-profit & charitable organizations, band/tribal councils, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and post secondary insitutitutions are all eligible to apply as a community lead! 🏡🤝👩‍⚕️

Deadline - Nov 15 @ 5pm!

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

RFP Announcement: Scaling Integrated Youth Services (IYS) Hubs! 📣

In collaboration with @NL_HealthServ, we’re seeking proposals from community organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador to develop two additional IYS hubs in rural regions across the province.

IYS hubs will provide young people with a range of services all in one place or access point — including mental health support, Family Care teams of health professionals, substance use treatment, employment help, and educational opportunities 👏

Visit the new IYS website to learn more about the RFP, including dates for upcoming information sessions.

Applications are due Nov. 15! 👉 https://t.co/D2h0H3hYjs

#NLIYS #TogetherWeCan
@GovNL, Bell Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership, @RBC , @Medavie, @NorthpineCanada

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Today we are sending a huge THANK YOU to Fishing For Success Leo stopped by our Outreach and Youth Engagement (OYE) Centre a couple of weeks ago and dropped off a supply of fresh fish for Chef Dave to use when preparing meals for youth who access drop-in services ✨

We are excited to see the nutritious food Chef Dave prepares with this fish. Be sure to check our socials in the future for pics of the finished project 🐟 #TogetherWeCan @IslandRooms

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Choices for Youth is committed to making a meaningful impact in our community by providing critical resources and wrap-around supports to vulnerable young people. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to empower youth, foster resilience, and create positive change through our programs, including housing, supportive employment, job training, education, prevention and early intervention, outreach, and advocacy, all while collaborating with other community organizations ✨

Together, we are building a brighter future for our youth! Check out our 2022-2023 Annual Report to learn more about the transformative work we've done and the lives we've touched 👉 https://t.co/ZNX7ZMgfDp #TogetherWeCan

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Over the last few days, we have received a large response from many of you providing kind words and support for the valuable services and programs we offer to young people in our community. We appreciate every comment, share, and message. Thank you 🫶

We would like to take this time to provide further details related to our Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) funding history and the timeline of our ongoing efforts to date regarding this funding. For the full details, please read our latest release 👉 https://t.co/ohsvqlIrif

We would like to express sincere gratitude to the @GovNL , our community, and the media for extensive ongoing support and coverage of this issue. #TogetherWeCan

[Jen Crowe @JenCrowe_]

Thank you so much, @FureyAndrew & @GovNL for your ongoing support of @choicesforyouth’s services and programs. Extremely grateful for the call this am and for our long-standing partnership with the provincial government.

[Andrew Furey @FureyAndrew]

Choices for Youth provides critical supports to youth and young families in our province. I spoke to Executive Director Jen Crowe this morning, shared my concern and emphasized that CFY is a valued community partner of our government.

[Andrew Furey @FureyAndrew]

Choices for Youth provides critical supports to youth and young families in our province. I spoke to Executive Director Jen Crowe this morning, shared my concern and emphasized that CFY is a valued community partner of our government.

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Choices for Youth is saddened to share that we are forced to significantly reduce our services for vulnerable youth after months of delays in finalizing a vital funding agreement.

Following seven years of federal investment, on June 20, 2024, we were informed we would receive only $4 million in federal funding over four years – just 20% of the $20 million requested from the Government of Canada. We requested access to the total $4 million in the current fiscal year to continue services at existing levels while working to secure alternate long-term support, however, we have still been unable to secure a final funding agreement. These ongoing delays have left us no choice but to make heartbreaking cuts to our programs and services. This includes reducing housing and wrap-around supports for over 350 young people annually.

As of Tuesday, August 20, we have implemented layoffs for 16 full-time employees and 15 youth trainees employed through our social enterprises. We are also unable to fill vacancies for 10 full-time staff and 16 youth employees. Furthermore, we have been forced to significantly reduce housing supports for 70 youth, evict eight young people from supportive housing, cut supportive services for 25 vulnerable young moms and 40 children, and eliminate training and educational supports for 35 youth by terminating the delivery of nationally recognized pre-employment training. These changes have directly impacted 45 youth with disabilities, 45 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and over 30 young families.

CFY Executive Director Jen Crowe is disheartened by this development and the impact it will have on youth and young families in our province.

“Our funding allows youth to engage in social enterprise employment, providing a training ground for vulnerable youth to prepare for the future. It gives young people the tools they need today to provide for themselves and their families in the future. It provides necessary services and supports that cost less, produce better outcomes, and are less harmful than the alternatives.”

Despite this unfortunate development, CFY maintains its commitment to providing housing, health, education, employment, and family and natural support services to the most vulnerable youth in our province and will continue to seek opportunities to invest in programming and services that end youth homelessness and help youth achieve their goals.

You can read the full Media Release for more details: https://t.co/CKBPbny4Sr

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

This past weekend we were thrilled to once again participate in the St. John's Pride Parade 🏳️‍🌈

Thanks to all the staff, youth, board members, and other friends who joined us in the parade this year 💖

At Choices for Youth, we believe that every young person deserves to live their truth and express themselves authentically. We dream of a world where young people of all backgrounds and identities are able and encouraged to pursue their aspirations and potential ✨

We are proud to be part of a community that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and acceptance. Join us, this month and beyond, in celebrating the beauty of individuality and the importance of creating a world where every young person can thrive 🌳
#TogetherWeCan

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Calling all supporters of Choices for Youth 📞

Kinsmen Club of St. John's is hosting another “My Favourite Charity Cash Lottery” and you can make a difference by purchasing tickets in support of your favourite charities - including Choices for Youth ✨

By participating, you not only get a chance to win the jackpot but also have the opportunity to contribute to some incredible organizations that are doing phenomenal work in our community 🎆

Ticket sales end on August 23 and the draw date is August 30. The jackpot is growing daily and you don't want to miss your opportunity to win and give back. Purchase your tickets today and be sure to select your charity of choice from the drop-down menu 👉 https://t.co/6cG948EAku
#TogetherWeCan

[Jen Crowe @JenCrowe_]

@DeatraWalsh @MunicipalNL @Gudie So happy to see this announcement! Sad I wasn’t able to attend but thrilled for you, the full MNL team, and all the people who will avail of new affordable housing facilitated through this initiative.

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Happy Pride Month from Choices for Youth 🏳️‍🌈

June is a special time for us to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the 2SLGBTQ2+ community. At Choices for Youth, we believe that every individual deserves access to safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity ✨

This month and always, we are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all youth, including those who identify as 2SLGBTQ2+. Let's celebrate our differences and work together to create a world where everyone can thrive 💖
#Pride #TogetherWeCan

[CIHI_ICIS @CIHI_ICIS]

Nearly 30,000 hospitalizations across Canada in 2022–2023 were identified with code Z59.0 Homelessness. Hospital stays for these patients were twice as long as the national average and cost twice as much. Learn more: https://t.co/xI5OVZ07Fv

#HomelessnessInCanada

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

@NLFoundation MUN's @harriscentre have just released 'Vital Signs 2024', a comprehensive report highlighting the quality of life in our province. As a partner organization, CFY is proud to have contributed to the report's insights and research ✨

One key finding is the alarming prevalence of housing insecurity, with over 20% of households in Newfoundland and Labrador facing housing insecurity. This is especially true in rural areas where individuals are often required to move away from their home communities due to a lack of available housing 🏡

This issue is not new, as CFY and Municipalities NL recently published a report on rural housing insecurity that highlights the unique challenges faced by rural residents. Hope Jamieson, the author of that report, contributed valuable insights to Vital Signs 2024, providing a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding rural housing insecurity 📚

To learn more about these findings and what they mean for our community, check out the full report here 👉 https://t.co/DcOyOOPL8g

Check back later this week for more data and insights from the report.

[Joanne Thompson @Joanne_NL]

My office is hiring a Summer Student in #StJohnsEast!

We are looking for someone passionate about community engagement and interested in the workings of Canadian politics to join our team!

➡️Share with a student in your life or apply by April 30 to [email protected]!

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

We are so honoured to have been a selected recipient of the Innovation Housing Design Award, alongside @StellasCircle at the @CityofStJohns #2024ApplauseAwards. ✨🎉

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

Choices for Youth & @MunicipalNL's new report "Pull Together: Addressing Housing Insecurity in Newfoundland and Labrador" conducted key informant interviews with participants from municipalities, service providers, and individuals with lived experience 🧵

[Choices for Youth @choicesforyouth]

🌟 Exciting News 🌟

The Federal government just announced the new Youth Mental Health Fund with a $500 million investment to reduce wait times and provide more care options for younger Canadians ✨

With rising concerns of mental health challenges, this fund will be a crucial step towards ensuring every generation can access the mental health care they need for a brighter and healthier future 🌞

Alongside this initiative, the government has also signed bilateral healthcare agreements with all provinces and territories, aiming to improve access to healthcare services like hiring more doctors and nurses, reducing wait times, and enhancing mental health care 💖#TogetherWeCan