New research shows that one in five children in Alberta is living in poverty. And more and more families are struggling as the living wage in Alberta continues to rise. Does poverty affect your teen or a teenager you know? There are tons of resources around the Edmonton area that can help. While a quick call to 211 will get you an even longer list of resources to use or pass along, we made a list of some of the best programs and supports. Feel free to give these to someone you know who could use them!
The YWCA’s Financial Literacy Program
What better way for teens to take control of their lives than by taking control of their finances? The YWCA offers teen girls a program to learn how to budget and save for the future. They’ll also meet new friends while in this program.
Interested? Email Rylan Langkow at r.langkow@ywcaedm.org or call them at 780 423-9922.
Edmonton Public Library’s Teen Lounge
No money? No problem! The Edmonton Public Library (EPL) offers dozens of free events that teens can participate in. They can head to various locations for teen lounge time to make DIY projects, play video games, and make new friends. There are dozens of these events at multiple locations, so go to the EPL events page to see when the next one is happening near you.
Interested? You don’t need to sign up; just go to the EPL events page to see when the next teen lounge is happening.
iHuman Youth Society’s Creativity Programs
Kids and teens living in poverty don’t always have a chance to be creative. If they’re into music, recording equipment costs a fortune. If they’re into visual arts, there might not be space in their house to store art materials. That’s where the iHuman Youth Society’s Creativity Programs come in. Youth can go here to do art, music, drama, and dance, all free of charge. They’ll also be able to talk to people, find mentors, and make new friends.
Interested? Contact them through their online form or call them at 780 421-8811.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Edmonton’s Youth Employment Program
Financial independence is essential for anyone, but this is especially true for impoverished youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters Edmonton offers a Youth Employment Program where teens ages 14 and above can spend time job shadowing people and taking part in group employment programs. By encouraging the youth in your life to start making some money, you’ll be helping them learn to be independent, and they’ll start feeling more control over their life.
Interested? Contact Josie Salmon at josie.salmon@bgcbigs.ca or call her at 780 699-8506.
YouthRise’s Free Tutoring Program
An education is one key to helping kids get out of poverty. Students who finish high school are much more likely to make it financially. With that in mind, YouthRise runs a free tutoring program. Kids in grades 7-12 can attend for free tutoring every Monday. They’ll even get a snack while they’re there!
If this is too far from you, there are dozens of other free tutoring programs in the city. A quick Google search will point you in the right direction.
Interested? Visit the Youth Rise Center, 2101 Millbourne Rd West NW Edmonton, Mondays from 4 to 6 PM.
The Elizabeth Fry Society’s Youth Programs
The society runs several different programs for teenage girls, including “Lead the Way,” where they learn leadership skills, and “Inner Circle,” where they strengthen their relationships with other girls and women. The Elizabeth Fry Society also offers a free Financial Literacy Program where girls and women can learn how to manage their money better.
Interested? You can contact them through their online form or by phone at 780 904-8052.
Kaleo Collective’s Single Mom Support Group
Sometimes, the best way to help the kid is to help the parent. Many kids in poverty live with just one parent, and raising a child alone is as hard emotionally as it is financially. That’s why the Kaleo Collective has created this support group. It’s a place for single moms to get together and talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of their lives as parents.
Interested? The event happens every Thursday night from 9 to 10 PM on Zoom. The meeting link is here. They also have in-person meetups on the last Thursday of every month. Contact them for the exact address.
