· Watari was developed in 1986 in a response to a lack of services and programs for high-risk/ street involved youth in Vancouver. In 1986, the very first Survival Manual; a Directory of Youth Services was developed and published. The manual was organized with youth involved in the design and choice of information within it pages. Subsequent editions have been published in 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000 and most recently 2003. Over the years the manual has changed to adapt to the needs of the youth and service providers who use it.
· In 1987, Watari began to provide One to One Youth Care Services to the Vancouver Intensive Child Care Resource (ICCR). ICCR offered services to extremely high-risk youth within an integrated case management approach. Watari was part of this multi disciplinary team comprised of two other agencies and five government ministries. * this was the first one to one service provided by the agency; with additional contracts through the Adolescent Services Unit, North Shore Children and Families Ministry and the Criminal Justice Branch of the Solicitor General following.
· In 1989, Watari was invited to conduct an Alcohol and Drug Needs Assessment Study in the Downtown East Side area of Vancouver. This was an extensive community collaboration that resulted in the establishment of the Youth and Family Alcohol and Drug Strategy. This was a non -traditional approach to Alcohol and Drug programs and counseling with a strong emphasis on community development and peer leadership training. An administrative community council comprised of residents guided the direction of the program. The Youth and Family Service Programs have included over the years Women’s Assertiveness Training, Teen Theatre, Cultural Enrichment Programs, Pre-teen Activities, Lifeskill/Peer Leadership Training, Wilderness Programs and Community Development/ Education.
· In 1992, Public Education and Professional Workshops on working with high-risk youth were designed and implemented on an ongoing basis. Watari wrote and published an educational needs analysis in collaboration with Douglas College, Working With “At Risk, Marginal and Street Involved Youth”.
· In 1993 Watari established an administrative office in the Downtown Eastside area of Vancouver. In 1993 a study called Community Organization Strategy for At Risk Youth in the Downtown Eastside/Strathcona Area was written and published.
· 1993, Peerworks - Substance Abuse Training for youth peer helpers was written and published by Watari. The Trainers Guide and Youth Workbook package balances specific alcohol and drug information with tools for personal growth and awareness.
· In 1993 Watari shared the responsibility for general management of the Street Youth Detox Program with three agencies and delivered the outreach, residential and training service components of the program.
· In 1993-94, Watari developed and implemented a Caregiver Training Curriculum. Participants in the training were employed for one to one services, residential detox, peer support and outreach services.
· In 1995, Watari delivered a Peer Leadership Training Program for youth as part of the continuum of alcohol and drug services. Programs that grew from this training were the Slo-pitch Baseball Team, Wilderness Trips and Social/Recreational activities.
· In 1994 Watari wrote and published Working With Street Youth, A Resource Manual.
· In 1996 Watari administered a community- based initiative designed to develop protection strategies for street involved children and youth at risk of sexual exploitation. The project was called The Child and Youth Protection Strategy.
· In 1997 Watari partnered with Douglas College, Faculty of Child, Family and Community Services to develop the Working with Street Involved Youth Training Program. The training is community based and delivers a combination of academic and practical experience to offer a job ready, college accredited learning opportunity to people interested in working with street involved youth. A Mental Health Specialty was added to the training in 1999 for the third session.
· In 1998, the lack of post detox transitional supports for youth prompted Watari to shift from Detox Services to the creation of the Street Youth Day Treatment Program.
· In 1998, the Youth and Family Alcohol and Drug Services expanded services in an initiative called the Downtown Eastside HIV Strategy. This provided counseling and training resources for youth and adults in the community that are affected by or at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
· In 1998-99, a residential mental health resource for youth was developed called Space House.
· In 1999 Watari published the Training Manual for Trainers and the Public under the Child and Youth Protection
Strategy.
· In 2000, the Street Youth Day Treatment Program Follow-up Study was completed.
· In 2000, The ICCR was disbanded and replaced by the Specialized Youth Response Program (SYRP) in a partnership with another agency. Watari was responsible for One to One Services, Alcohol and Drug Counseling and Education, Therapeutic Services and the Family Support program components.
· In 2001, Watari entered into the process of accreditation with The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF), developing a number of in-house committees relating to maintaining standards required to provide both effective and ethical service.
· In 2002, Watari moved the Youth Day Program to a new site after consultation and evaluation with youth and service providers
· In 2002, Watari conducted an assessment of training needs for housing providers. From this information we developed and delivered an education series for Eastside Caretakers and Building Managers that included eight workshops on mental health, substance abuse, dealing with verbal and physical aggression, and health issues.
· In 2002, Watari participated in a partnership with Douglas College to again deliver the Working with Street Youth with a Mental Health Specialty. On-going, core funding for this program is currently being sought by Douglas College.
· In 2003, our partnership in the Specialized Youth Response Program ended due to fiscal implications for the lead agency in the project.
The work continues!!