Edmonds Youth Resource Center

What It Is

The Edmonds Resource Center was established as a result of the work of a number of community people who lived along the 12th Street Corridor. Some years ago, during a "shame the Johns" campaign, they saw that some of the women on the street were young girls.

They approached the Purpose Society and we formed a partnership that resulted in securing funding from the provincial government and establishing the resource center on Edmonds Street in Burnaby. Burnaby City supported the Center by providing the space for one dollar a year.

Purpose's Role

The Purpose Society partners with the Citizens Group to operate the Center. The funding from the Ministry for Children and Families for this position is not enough to cover the cost of one full time employee. Therefore, the Citizens group raises a considerable amount of money each year. In addition, there is financial support from the Deer Lake United Church.

The Center provides a safe place for at-risk youth, many of whom are from low-income homes where resources are scarce. The staff provides support, education, information, food advocacy and other services.

On average, each month there are 300 to 400 visits to the Center. That means each month between 70 and 100 youth visit the Center two to three times a week. It is difficult to determine whether the Center can take credit for making long lasting changes to the lives of young people. However, it is certain that the Center provides a place where they can get off the street and be safe. We know young women who have been isolated in apartments and sexually exploited. As long as youth are coming to the center we can keep 'tabs' on them and keep offering support.