ACCESS BladeRunners is a provincial employment-based program provided through NYSA and funded by the Government of British Columbia. The program gives young people the tools, certificates, confidence and opportunity to reach their fullest working potential.
Our Housing Story: The intent of Nanaimo’s Youth Housing Centre is to provide safe, supportive and/or affordable housing and personal development options to youth between the ages of 16 and 25 years old. Applicants are assessed on their current requirement for housing based on specific criteria, including the applicant’s need, safety concerns, current living situation, and ability to pay toward the actual cost of housing.
Waddington provides opportunities for youth to successfully transition into a supportive and affordable apartment building designed for youth in need of support and assistance. The facility consists of 16 one-bedroom units and 6 two-bedroom units. It also has common rooms used for community meals, movie nights and other social events.
Nanaimo Youth Services Association operates our youth affordable housing program from Rowe House on Haliburton Street, in a refurbished historical rooming house. At Rowe, we have 14 single units available to youth between the ages of 19 and 25 years old. Tenants who are eligible for Rowe House are those individuals who meet the age criteria and who are employed or going to school on a full-time basis.
NYSA’s Supportive Living program provides outreach support to young people under the care of the BC Ministry of Child and Family Development.