What is the Youth Empowerment & Transition Program?

Youth Empowerment & Transition is a new program that launched in September 2006. It is available for youth ages 16 to 25 with any disability. The focus of the program is on transition. We aim to assist youth with preparing for the changes that adult life will bring.

Our goals are to:

• Assist youth to strive towards a more autonomous lifestyle

• Increase participation in leisure activities and peer support connections

• Provide individual support for youth that may deal with issues surrounding life changes, confidence, and/or self-sufficiency

• Provide youth with connections to other community resources that may benefit their
individual needs

• Provide a safe, comfortable and fun environment for youth to grow and learn from one another!

Within the program we can assist with finding employment or getting your own apartment however it is also about becoming familiar with the basic life skills that all adults will need. For example, not everyone will move out into their own home however as an adult, things like cooking, budgeting and career are all still important.

The program offers youth the chance to participate in a variety of activities that each play an important part in the progression towards adulthood. The program is divided into the following categories;

- Health & Lifestyle

- Employment & Education

- Volunteering & Community Development

- Housing & Basic Needs

- Independent Living in Ottawa

Within each category are workshops and activities that help promote participation, independence and empowerment. Besides group activities individual support is also available. All that is required is for you to call or email OILRC to set up a meeting.

Click here to visit the Youth Newsletter