Alberta has the fourth highest number of newcomer youth in the country, but for so many of these youth, settling into a new place comes with significant challenges that can become long-term. With limited time to adapt to a new culture and gain the skills necessary for employment, newcomer youth are more vulnerable to social isolation, poverty, depression and anxiety, dropping out of high school, unemployment and ongoing challenges to integration.

When it comes to youth growing into healthy and independent adults, it is crucial that they develop confidence, a positive sense of identity, skills and relationships. At Trellis, we work together with our programs and community partners to connect youth with multiple supports as well as opportunities for cultural bridging. We were able to see the impact of this continuum of support while working with a youth named Aryan.

Follow Aryan’s journey and see how having support available made a difference on his outcome.

Looking back on Aryan’s journey, we see how he and his family worked collaboratively with so many programs and people. It is this valuable wraparound of support that makes it possible to remove barriers and provide the right supports so people like Aryan and his family can flourish.