The Signal with Adam Walsh Offers Six-Episode Series with CFY.

Over the last several months, Choices for Youth (CFY) has been apart of a six-episode series on CBC’s radio show - The Signal with Adam Walsh. The general theme if all the segments was to focus on innovative community-based solutions to complex issues, while making better use of the resources for more impactful outcomes. Each of these segments had various guest speakers, inclusive of CFY staff and youth participants, as well as provincial and national partners.

Learn more about each segment:

Segment #1 - Prevention & Early Intervention

"What Impact can Social Innovation have on our communities"

This segment focuses on the impact of prevention and early intervention work. Listeners will learn how community programs can play a key role in keeping young people and their families together, as well as helping youth stay in school.

Special guests of this segment include:

• Jill Doyle [former] Manager of Family Programming & Support Services, Choices for Youth

• Jeannie Piercey, Program Coordinator of Momma Moments & Family & Natural Supports, Choices for Youth

• Melissa Power, Program Coordinator of Upstream, NL

• Kaitlyn, Program Participant, CFY's Momma Moments Program

• Vicky Doyle, Nurse Practitioner, Downtown Health Collaborative

• Melanie Redman, President & CEO, A Way Home Canada

< Segment #1 - Listen Here >

Segment #2 - Integrated Youth Services in Newfoundland & Labrador

"Integrated Youth Services (IYS) in NL “How to help youth with mental health and addictions”

In this segment listeners will learn about Integrated Youth Services (IYS) in newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the model on a national level. CFY has been working towards advancing IYS across our province over the last five years – Building from our existing IYS site in St. John’s, we have been working 65+ Community partners to build out a provincial network of IYS delivery for NL.

Special guests of this segment include:

• Jen Crowe, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Choices for Youth

• Matt Piercey, Director of NL Integrated Youth Services, Choices for Youth

• Dr. Jo Henderson, President, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

• Ian Boeckh, President & Director, Graham Boeckh Foundation

• Dr. Francoise Guigne, Family Physician & Assistant Professor, Medicine

• Travis Mitchell, Program Coordinator, Rural Initiative Outreach Team, AIDS Committee of NL

< Segment #2 - Listen Here >

Segment #3 - Housing in St. John's & the Metro Area

“How do we stop surging homelessness in St. John’s?”

This segment focuses on the importance of housing and addressing homelessness in St. John’s. Operating through a housing-first approach, CFY strives to house youth as quickly as possible. With housing comes the feeling of safety, the provision of shelter, and the critical opportunity to focus on addressing personal challenges. Once safely housed, we provide youth and young families with wrap-around services to overcome challenges and to take steps towards healthy and independent lives.

Special guests of this segment include:

• Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director, Choices for Youth

• Steve Geatz, Director, Canadian Observatory on Homelessness

• Danny Breen, Mayor, City of St. John’s

• Doug Pawson, Executive Director, End Homelessness St. John’s

• Gail Thornhill, Director of Housing Services, Stella’s Circle

• Mohammed Abdallah, Executive Director & Co-Founder, Connections for Seniors

< Segment #3 - Listen Here >

Segment #4 - Housing in Rural & Remote Areas

“What are solutions to housing and homelessness issues in rural N.L.?"

This segment is focused on homelessness in rural, remote and northern parts of our province, and innovative Solutions to tackle these mounting challenges. Part of this segment’s conversation focuses on how much of our province’s youth experiencing homelessness are from regions and communities outside the metro region and how these areas do not have the capacity or resources to help these youth.

Special guests of this segment include:

• David Banfield [Former] Manager of Housing Services, Choices for Youth

• Robert Nolan, CEO at Municipalities Newfoundland, and Labrador

• Krystal Saunders from the Nunatsiavut Government

• Oliva White, Otter Housing Association

< Segment #4 - Listen Here >

Segment #5 - Social Enterprise (Part One): Education, Employment & Social Enterprise at CFY

"Live on Location at Crust Craft Bakery and Pizzeria in St. John’s”

This segment was held live at Choices for Youth’s Social Enterprise – Crust Craft Bakery. Listeners will learn about CFY’s social enterprises and education and training programs, and the impact these programs have on youth coming through our doors. These programs are the steppingstones to prepare young people to transition from our programs into the workforce or post secondary.

Special guests of this segment include:

• Mari-lynn Taylor, Manager of Education, Employment and Social Enterprise, Choices for Youth

• Matt Dines, Marketing Officer, Choices for Youth

• Nick King, Food Operations Manager, Crust Craft Bakery

• Morgan Taylor, Supervisor, Crust Craft Bakery

• Sami, Youth Trainee, Crust Craft Bakery

• Kyle, Youth Trainee, Crust Craft Bakery

< Segment #5 - Listen Here >

Segment #6 - Social Enterprise - Part Two: Social Enterprise on a National Level

“What is social innovation and how it might help communities”

This segment elaborates on social innovation and demonstrates it’s important in helping communities. Listeners will learn the impact of social enterprises across Canada, including organizations like CFY who are leading the way in generating social and economic impact through innovation business models. Listeners will also learn how these organizations are working to support vulnerable populations through social enterprise training and wrap-around supports.

Special guests for this segment include:

• Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director, Choices for Youth

• Carolann Harding, CEO, SmartICE

• Chelsey MacNeil, President, Common Good Solutions

• Stacey Hoff, Executive Director, Mokami Status of Women Council

• Marc Soberano, Founder and CEO, Building up Toronto

• Shaun Loney, Senior Partner, Encompass

• Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

< Segment #6 - Listen Here >

CFY would like to extent big thanks and appreciation to all special guests from each segment! Thank you, Adam Walsh for collaborating with us in offering dialogue for six essential topics - We hope to have an opportunity to be involved in future segments to continue important conversations!