The Old Strathcona Youth Society (The Co-op)

 Mission:The Old Strathcona Youth Society provides flexible resources and creates a supportive environment by fostering youth empowerment and development.

Vision Statement: For all youth to be productive members of their community.

Established in 1998, “the Co-op” was created to serve a population of youth around the Old Strathcona area who were unable to access resources and services to meet their needs. We are a multi-agency, street-level centre providing information and referrals as well as outreach services and advocacy to youth. The whole premise of the Co-op is to bring in agencies from other areas of the city to a “one stop shop” for the youth. Some of the participating agencies and government departments include: AADAC; YESS; STI Clinic nurses; Student Legal Services; John Howard Society; and Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services, Region 6. Activities range from art and music therapy, festivals and theatre to fitness classes. The Youth Society also provides an opportunity to cook and eat a hot meal every Friday at our collective kitchen. There are three computers that youth can access for resume writing, research and entertainment.

We serve youth within the ages of 14–24 and ask that they be respectful of the staff, other youth and the property, are sober when they are in the Co-op, and utilize the services as they are offered. With well trained and compassionate staff we are dedicated to serving the youth population through a harm-reduction philosophy and in a non-judgmental manner. We strive to create opportunities for positive change in young lives that may otherwise seem hopeless.  

Community involvement is very important and a positive police presence helps to create feelings of safety. If the youth, who for many have had negative interactions with police from a very young age, can see a member(s) of the Edmonton Police Service in a less threatening situation, it can work to dispel many myths and biases and help eliminate barriers. This can be very helpful on the street as a youth who already knows a constable will be much more likely to react without anger or suspicion, and perhaps see police services as a potential resource.