Imagine a program with specialized support services and cultural teachings for St贸:l艒 youth, guiding them as they navigate the rough waters of the teenage years through graduation, and beyond.

Thatsa国际传媒檚 exactly whatsa国际传媒檚 been happening with M茅miyelhtel, the youth mentorship program from St贸:l艒 Service Agency that began in 2012.

More than 100 youth from 30 Indigenous communities across St贸:l艒 territory (Ssa国际传媒櫭砽h T茅m茅xw) have gone through the program.

The program name M茅miyelhtel means sa国际传媒渉elping others be well,sa国际传媒� in Halqsa国际传媒檈m茅ylem.

M茅miyelhtel has been working closely with youth sa国际传媒渨ho are facing significant challengessa国际传媒� for a decade, said Youth Services director Breanna Miller, the lead on the project for St贸:l艒 Service Agency.

With the support and involvement from community partners like M茅miyelhtel, Indigenous graduation rates in the Chilliwack School District have soared from 55 per cent to 79 per cent, since 2012.

They may not be wholly responsible for that impressive hike in grad rates, but the programsa国际传媒檚 success is definitely a part of it, Miller said.

Squiala Chief David Jimmie has been a strong program supporter and advocate. Hesa国际传媒檚 also keenly aware of the challenges M茅miyelhtel and the youth have faced over the years.

Participants aged 12 to 19 can get help and individualized attention from sa国际传媒渋ntensive supportsa国际传媒� and resource workers, as well as respected elders.

sa国际传媒淚ndigenous youth face unique struggles given the historical trauma that still exists today, and this program is an opportunity for those youth to learn more about who they are through cultural teachings, while receiving proper supports to gain confidence in working through life challenges,sa国际传媒� Jimmie said.

Many of the participants are first and second generation descendants of residential school survivors.

Part of what the youth get is culturally relevant approaches to support their mental health, and land-based healing.

Jimmie said hesa国际传媒檚 happy to see solid community support from business leaders like Baker Newby, with their one-for-one funding match commitment up to $50,000 so the program can serve more youth and work towards the goal of turning no one away.

Jimmie also had high praise for the sa国际传媒渃ommitment and dedicationsa国际传媒� shown by staff and elders in steering the unique program, especially sa国际传媒渢he drive and visionsa国际传媒� from Miller.

But a wait list means they can only serve about half of those being referred, Miller said.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e often asked about the needs of the program and how people can support the work we are doing,sa国际传媒� said Miller. sa国际传媒淭he answer is, there are many ways. We need additional funds to meet the demand.sa国际传媒�

A funding drive is therefore a critical part of the launch of a new . Theysa国际传媒檙e hoping to gain significant support from the community and business sector. The just launched website tells the story of M茅miyelhtel, and makes it easy for those who want to sponsor or .

Motivation to complete the website came from the ongoing interest and inquiries about the program, the desire to share stories about the mentorships and the need to highlight the demands and gaps in service.

See more at or email youth@stolonation.bc.ca

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