Thrive

Brief Description

Thrive (formerly known as Discover YOUth) is an experiential mentoring and peer support program that was developed with and for youth in custody, youth leaving custody, and youth at risk of criminal and gang involvement. The program supports youth to remain healthy by engaging them in meaningful programming and mentorship focused on healthy living and drug and alcohol addiction prevention. Intentional mentoring through the program offers positive role modeling, healthy interactions, and system-navigation support. Participants are supported to identify their strengths and the supports available within their communities in the development of recovery/wellness plans to support reintegration and prevent future criminality.

Goals

The main goals of the Thrive program are:

• To engage youth in experiential programming focused on healthy living and addictions prevention; and
• To support youth as they return to their communities by building on individual strengths, and supporting community connectedness.

Clientele

The appropriate clientele for Thrive are youth in New Brunswick who have been in custody, are in custody, are transitioning out of custody or care, or who are vulnerable to incarceration. The program is delivered to Anglophone, Francophone and First Nations youth in open and closed custody and youth who are vulnerable to criminal and/or gang involvement between the ages of 14 and 19. Youth may be identified for participation through the Miramichi Youth Centre, by a Partners for Youth Community Outreach Coordinator, or referred by a partners, such as Youth in Transition, Portage Atlantic, the John Howard Society, and First Nations communities. The program has also been adapted for use in alternate education sites to engage youth who are vulnerable to incarceration.

Core Components

Thrive is a weekly 8-session peer support and mentorship program, offered in groups or individually, that is grounded in the following theoretical perspectives: Adventure-based Learning, Social and Emotional Learning, Trauma-informed Practice, and Strengths-based Perspective. Thrive is not a stand-alone program, and is integrated with other programs, mentorship, and peer support to empower youth to develop their own communities of care. Session topics include:

• Orientation and group development.
• Discover yourself: Youth identify their strengths and personal goals.
• The importance of community: Youth identify community supports that will aid them in achieving their personal goals.
• Wellness and personal health: Youth identify and build healthier coping skills.
• A plan for wellness: Youth develop a personalized wellness/recovery plan.
• Next steps and supports: Facilitators and youth prepare for transition into community and/or out of the program. Partners For Youth Inc. offers on-going support to youth as they transition into the community/adulthood. 

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: Access and ability to work with youth in open and closed custody, and in community.
• Partnerships: Partnerships are critical to supporting youth in developing their unique community of care.  Partnerships with youth-serving agencies such as Youth in Transition,  the John Howard Society and Youth Impact are important connections for continued support after the program. Partnerships with the Miramichi Youth Campus and Portage Atlantic are necessary for program delivery and aftercare support. Newly formed relationships with First Nations, such as Tobique First Nation and Kingsclear First Nation, are necessary in supporting youth as they prepare to return to communities. Partnerships with other service providers, including Mental Health and Addiction and alternate education sites are required to remove barriers to access.
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

Through Public Safety Canada’s Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund, funding was provided to the Department of Justice and Public Safety to implement its 5-year plan on gun and gang violence. As part of that plan, the province implemented a Crime Prevention Conditional Grant fund to facilitate local-level crime prevention activities. Partners for Youth Inc. received funding to implement Thrive (formerly Discover YOUth) from 2020-2023.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Partners for Youth Inc.

487 Brunswick St.

Fredericton, NB E3B 5L6

(506) 462-0343

https://www.partnersforyouth.ca/en/