Victoria Youth Empowerment Society

Victoria Youth Empowerment Society The Victoria Youth Empowerment Society [YES] offers services for youth and their family/caregivers throughout the Capital Region.

YES welcomes all members of our diverse youth community. Inbox us to reach one of our counsellors! We offer the following diverse programs to provide opportunities for growth and success to youth and their families, all at no cost:


Daytime Youth Drop-In:

Drop-In to 533 Yates Street during the day (Monday to Friday) for help with housing, employment, basic needs, drugs and alcohol, mental health or just support and a safe place to be! We have phones and computers available for you to use, counsellors for you to talk to, and snacks. Alliance Club:

Looking for a safe place to hang out in the evening? We welcome all youth ages 13 to 19 who may be hanging out downtown. We provide supper and snacks, access to showers and laundry, free hygiene products and clothing, along with recreation and leisure activities including access to computers, free internet access, pool table, video games, television/movies, board games, music, arts and crafts, and books. Alliance Cub is open Monday to Thursday 3pm – 9:30pm at 533 Yates Street


Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter:

Need somewhere to sleep tonight? Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter (KEYS) provides youth 13 to 18 with emergency shelter when they have no other safe housing alternatives. (ages of 13-18) who are in crisis and have no safe housing alternatives. KEYS accepts referrals and provides assistance 24 hours, 7 days a week. Admission is voluntary and the consent of the legal guardian is required in order for a youth to access services. Life Skills Program:

Need one-on-one or group support with housing, employment, relationships, school, family or other ares of your life? Life Skills Counsellors will help youth ages 12 to 19 develop the tools and skills necessary to successfully transition to independence. Supported Independent Living Program:

Need help transitioning to independence? The Supported Independent Living Program (SIL) assists current and former youth in care (ages 15-23) with housing and personal support to create a smooth transition to independence and adulthood. Summer Opportunities Program:

Looking for something healthy and safe to do over the summer months? The Summer Opportunities Program (SOP) provides youth (ages 13 to 19) with fun and healthy recreational activities and outings. Specialized Youth Detox:

Need drug and alcohol support? Specialized Youth Detox (SYD) is a 5 bed non-medical withdrawal management facility serving the youth of Vancouver Island. SYD is a voluntary program for youth (ages 13 to 18) that require acute physical detoxification. The program offers youth the ability to stay up to 10 days to detox and stabilize both physically and emotionally. Youth & Family Support Services:

Looking for family counselling and support? The Youth and Family Support Services Program (YFSS) consists of two counsellors who provide short term support and longer term counselling to youth (ages 12-19) and their families. Youth Services Outreach Program:

Are you looking to get connected to services and receive some short term support to get your life on track? Our Youth Services Outreach Team provides youth (ages 12 – 19) with short-term support to resolve current and emerging issues,facilitate prevention/diversion, and provide referrals and crisis intervention to reduce risk to youth and their families.

December Week 2 in Wellness! Located in the Connections Space of 533 Yates St. Free for youth 13-19!Contact Bean for mor...
12/05/2025

December Week 2 in Wellness!
Located in the Connections Space of 533 Yates St.
Free for youth 13-19!
Contact Bean for more info😊wellness@vyes.ca 250-580-7394

Join us for our Christmas dinner at the Alliance Club on December 18th. We can't wait to see you all there! :)
12/04/2025

Join us for our Christmas dinner at the Alliance Club on December 18th. We can't wait to see you all there! :)

Thank you so much to Margaret Jenkins Elementary School for providing us with so many helpful donations. It makes a big ...
12/01/2025

Thank you so much to Margaret Jenkins Elementary School for providing us with so many helpful donations. It makes a big difference in the live software the youth who access VYES programs and services. Thank you

Here is the first week of December in Wellness! To kick it off, we have games night tonight! Contact Bean for more info ...
12/01/2025

Here is the first week of December in Wellness! To kick it off, we have games night tonight!
Contact Bean for more info and registration: wellness@vyes.ca 250-580-7394 😊

The Alliance Club Christmas Dinner & Party – December 18th!We’re getting ready for our annual Christmas celebration, and...
11/24/2025

The Alliance Club Christmas Dinner & Party – December 18th!

We’re getting ready for our annual Christmas celebration, and we couldn’t be more excited! Each year, this special event gives youth, ages 13–19, a Christmas experience they may not otherwise have. We anticipate welcoming 35–45 youth for an evening filled with good food, holiday fun, and gifts under the tree.

Our goal is simple: ensure every young person enjoys an amazing dinner and receives a meaningful gift.
If you’d like to support this annual tradition, here’s how you can help:

 Donate New, Unwrapped Gifts (Teen-Friendly Items)

• Gift cards (mall, movies, fast food, coffee shops)
• Hoodies, warm socks, beanies
• Backpacks or tote bags
• Journals, sketchbooks, pens
• Water bottles or travel mugs
• Phone chargers, earbuds, small tech accessories
• Art supplies or craft kits
• Board games or card games

Contribute Food for the Dinner

• Holiday treats!
• A turkey for the Christmas meal!

Make a Financial Contribution

Support the celebration through our CanadaHelps page and help us ensure every youth has a magical holiday moment.

Want to help?

Please contact Steph and Laura at 250-361-392 or email allianceclub@vyes.ca.

Your generosity brings warmth, joy, and holiday magic to youth who need it most. Thank you for helping us make this Christmas unforgettable!

Hello! I'm Bean (she/her), the new Wellness Worker at the Youth Empowerment Society! I'm very excited to be offering act...
11/24/2025

Hello! I'm Bean (she/her), the new Wellness Worker at the Youth Empowerment Society! I'm very excited to be offering activities every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the Connections Space at 533 Yates St and out in the community. Here is what's planned for December! I look forward to hearing from you 😊
Contact me with any questions and for registration: wellness@vyes.ca or 250-580-7394

Join us for open art night this Thursday 3pm-4:30pm!Contact wellness@vyes.ca or 250-580-7394 for more info 😊
11/24/2025

Join us for open art night this Thursday 3pm-4:30pm!
Contact wellness@vyes.ca or 250-580-7394 for more info 😊

Join us in the Connections Space for air dry clay this Thursday November 20th 3pm-4:30pm! Contact wellness@vyes.ca or 25...
11/17/2025

Join us in the Connections Space for air dry clay this Thursday November 20th 3pm-4:30pm!
Contact wellness@vyes.ca or 250-580-7394 with any questions :)

New hours for the Food Pantry and Wellness Space. Stay tuned for fun programming coming soon! 🤗
11/12/2025

New hours for the Food Pantry and Wellness Space. Stay tuned for fun programming coming soon! 🤗

Thank you so much  for all these amazing donations to the VYES Food Pantry. These will help support our youth in accessi...
11/10/2025

Thank you so much for all these amazing donations to the VYES Food Pantry. These will help support our youth in accessing food they need.

11/03/2025

Address

533 Yates Street
Victoria, BC
V8W1K7

Telephone

+12503833514

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Our Story

We offer the following diverse programs to provide opportunities for growth and success to youth and their families, all at no cost: Daytime Youth Drop-In: Drop-In to 533 Yates Street during the day (Monday to Friday) for help with housing, employment, basic needs, drugs and alcohol, mental health or just support and a safe place to be! We have phones and computers available for you to use, counsellors for you to talk to, and snacks. Alliance Club: Looking for a safe place to hang out in the evening? We welcome all youth ages 13 to 19 who may be hanging out downtown. We provide supper and snacks, access to showers and laundry, free hygiene products and clothing, along with recreation and leisure activities including access to computers, free internet access, pool table, video games, television/movies, board games, music, arts and crafts, and books. Alliance Cub is open Monday to Thursday 12:30-7:30pm and Fridays 12:30-2:30pm at 533 Yates Street Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter: Need somewhere to sleep tonight? Kiwanis Emergency Youth Shelter (KEYS) provides youth 13 to 18 with emergency shelter when they have no other safe housing alternatives. (ages of 13-18) who are in crisis and have no safe housing alternatives. KEYS accepts referrals and provides assistance 24 hours, 7 days a week. Admission is voluntary and the consent of the legal guardian is required in order for a youth to access services. Life Skills Program: Need one-on-one or group support with housing, employment, relationships, school, family or other ares of your life? Life Skills Counsellors will help youth ages 12 to 19 develop the tools and skills necessary to successfully transition to independence. Supported Independent Living Program: Need help transitioning to independence? The Supported Independent Living Program (SIL) assists current and former youth in care (ages 15-23) with housing and personal support to create a smooth transition to independence and adulthood. Summer Opportunities Program: Looking for something healthy and safe to do over the summer months? The Summer Opportunities Program (SOP) provides youth (ages 13 to 19) with fun and healthy recreational activities and outings. Specialized Youth Detox: Need drug and alcohol support? Specialized Youth Detox (SYD) is a 5 bed non-medical withdrawal management facility serving the youth of Vancouver Island. SYD is a voluntary program for youth (ages 13 to 18) that require acute physical detoxification. The program offers youth the ability to stay up to 10 days to detox and stabilize both physically and emotionally. Youth & Family Support Services: Looking for family counselling and support? The Youth and Family Support Services Program (YFSS) consists of two counsellors who provide short term support and longer term counselling to youth (ages 12-19) and their families. Youth Services Outreach Program: Are you looking to get connected to services and receive some short term support to get your life on track? Our Youth Services Outreach Team provides youth (ages 12 – 19) with short-term support to resolve current and emerging issues,facilitate prevention/diversion, and provide referrals and crisis intervention to reduce risk to youth and their families.