Overview of the Calgary Achievement Centre for Youth

The Calgary Achievement Centre for Youth (CACY) is staffed by a part time coordinator and governed by a Board of Directors. The United Way of Calgary under a multi-year commitment currently funds CACY.

CACY has two significant roles in relation to the services to at risk youth provided at CACY. CACY coordinates and facilitates the provision of established and valued services by program delivery partners to its client population, which consists of "at risk" youth ranging in age from 15 to 24. CACY's objective is to identify synergies among the programs offered and to look for ways to improve the delivery of services to youth in a cost effective manner by providing "one-window" access. The goal is to reduce the duplication and fragmentation in the provision of necessary services. In addition, CACY works with the service providing partners to identify unmet needs of the client population and then seeks to meet those needs by finding and integrating additional programs and program delivery partners. CACY's facilitating and coordinating role is performed by the CACY coordinator working with the CACY Leadership team consisting of one representative from each of the program delivery partners.

The programs currently funded by the partners and provided at CACY include the following:

• Discovering Choices - an on site alternative high school provided by the Calgary Board of Education.
• Youth Employment Centre - comprehensive employment and career counselling services and workshops provided by the City of Calgary.
• Language Instruction to Newcomers to Canada - English as a second language courses to immigrant youth provided by Calgary Board of Education.
• Immigrant Youth Outreach Program - assisting young people new to Canada to access a wide range of services, including education, employment, housing and social support, provided by Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.
• Recreational Activities - all programs access these services through the YMCA facilities including Camp Chief Hector.
• Childminding/and Parenting Counselling Services - provided to single parents attending any of the programs at CACY and including outreach and counselling services, provided by Catholic Family Services.

These services are provided from one location to in excess of five thousand young people annually. The significant advantage to the “one window” access is that it enables CACY staff to not only identify other services, that may be of assistance to any client, but as importantly to ensure the client accesses the service often by just walking the client down the hall and making the introduction.

The Calgary Achievment Centre for Youth is an environment for young adults that fosters greater self sufficiency by providing individualized achievement opportunities through the collaboration of several partners

Our Core Values

• We value a Caring/Supportive environment.
• We value the rights and responsibilities for youth to Self-determination.
• We value the rights of youth for Self-sufficiency.
• We value Respect for oneself and each other
• We value the Quality youth and service providers bring to the Centre.

CACY Trends Report