Special accommodations available for students committed to education

Shortly all eight units available for youth from the Ben Calf Robe Society will be occupied.

Last September, the organization launched its Supported Independent Living Program, which assists youth from ages 16-24 years.

“(We provide accommodations for youth who) demonstrate a desire and dedication to continue with secondary or post-secondary studies,” said Executive Director Claudette Dewitt.
The mission of the Ben Calf Robe Society is about rebuilding Aboriginal youth and their families with holistic education, supportive social services and culturally relevant community programming.

The SILP program offers a safe and supportive place for Aboriginal youth with child welfare status that require extra support to coincide with their determination to finish their schooling.

“The youth conduct an interview with an intake worker to determine if they are a positive fit for the program. Normally, these students are high-functioning students that have been through the child welfare system and are interested and ready to continue with their education,” said Dewitt.

The program has met with great success as the current residents are dedicated and have enjoyed the continued support from the program.

“There has been no placement breakdown since the start of the program. The youth want to be there and are extremely hard working,” said Dewitt.

Aside from the personal living arrangements, the youth are offered life skills programming every Wednesday.  There are also expectations that the students must adhere to while continuing to progress in their educational endeavours.

The SILP program has live-in staff, a single father with two kids that the youth in the program have a strong positive relationship with.  There is also a woman who works in the units from 2 to 10 p.m. to assist with the youth programming and provide extra support.

The SILP program also has a live-in Elder who offers support, cultural programming and advice to the youth as they navigate through a pivotal time in their young lives.

“The Elder is available at all times of the day for emotional, mental and spiritual guidance. The Elder offers an Indigenous philosophy to the program where the students can engage that extra culturally relevant support that is so necessary for Aboriginal youth while attending school,” said Dewitt.

The program is supported by in-care funding through Alberta Human Services.

The mission of the Ben Calf Robe Society is about rebuilding Aboriginal youth and their families with holistic education, supportive social services and culturally relevant community programming.

The focus on education derives from the historical importance of the society by identifying in 1980 that 80 per cent of Aboriginal children were not completing high school. With the collaboration of the Catholic school board, the Ben Calf Robe Society was formed to provide acceptance, culturally relevant support and encouragement for Aboriginal youth to stay in school and complete their grade 12.