FIMESIP First Nations, Inuit and Métis Essential Skills Inventory Project

People First Adult Program

People First Adult Program (PFAP) has helped 40 “chronically homeless and at risk of being homeless” through one-to- one coaching and by providing support in specific areas of concern such as: housing placements, interpersonal skills, employment, employability, financial literacy, health and wellness, and education. The intervention program helped participants get connected to the land, language and culture, gain a better sense of self- identity, become better connected with their community, become a participant in the labour market and live a healthier lifestyle.

PFAP was an innovative program by delivering a coaching/support program. The program called for one person to provide one-to-one support, facilitate collaboration with key agencies in Terrace; this was all to be done through a cultural lens.

Participants were given an opportunity to work directly with job coaches, consultants, and other service providers within the community and the Kermode Friendship Society, resulting in their success to create a plan to secure and maintain housing, employment and educational opportunities.

See the attached Final Report for more details about the program.

Location British Columbia
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Contact

Cal Albright, Kermode Friendship Society
2506316601
execdir@kermode-fs.ca
3313 Kalum St, Terrace BC V8G 2N7

Project Details
Community Urban
Scope of Project National
Target Audience First Nations, Youth (15-30 yrs), Adults (31-49 yrs), Other

Initiative Impact

What is the overall impact of the initiative and how is this measured?

Forty (40) participants registered for the program 28 successfully completed the program and 29 gained employment, this means one participant had two placements. Twelve people who identified as homeless were all placed in housing. (See attached final report)

What have participants, stakeholders and partners thought, felt and/or said about your initiative?

See Outstanding Client Success Stories and Appendix B – Write-ups of Clients mentioned in Final Report (in attached report) for participant success stories.

Incorporation of Essential Skills

Which Essential Skills are covered by the initiative? Reading Text Document Use Thinking Skills Continuous Learning

Project Components

What are the components of the initiative? Life skills Job search services Cultural, language, and tradition awareness and/or training
How do you support participant success in the program? Food allowance and/or on-site meals Job placements Access to other in-house services
How was Indigenous culture integrated into the program content or delivery?

A major component of the intervention program was providing opportunities for participants to be connected to their culture in a variety of ways. The most obvious one was coming to Kermode Friendship Center which inherently is a cultural environment. But culture can be expressed in many forms. We provided opportunities for the clients to experience living off the land by having a cultural camp during the winter. Participants had to snowshoe nine (9) kilometers whilst carrying their backpacks and pull small toboggans with the team equipment. We also provided opportunities to pick traditional plants and to prepare traditional foods.

What do you think are the most important competencies and attributes for staff involved in this initiative to have?
  • Empathy
  • Cultural knowledge
  • Patience
  • Team work
  • Taking initiative
Who are your partners, and what is their involvement in the initiative?

Terrace District & Community Social Services- assisted with housing and emergency food

Ksan Shelter, emergency housing

City of Terrace- assisting with development of policies

Project Resources & Reports

Documents, tools and resources shared by the project providers: Kermode-Friendship-Society_People-First-Adult-Program-Final-Report-FINAL-Nov-5-18.docx