From Grief To Action

Alternate Shelter Society

For: adolescent males and females by referral from BC ministry staff.

Alternate Shelter Society's two residences for youth are Valley House and Murrayville, both approved by the Ministry of Family and Children via CARF accreditation. From the Society's website:

"Alternate Shelter Society provides residential and support services to a population of youth variously described as 'abused,' 'homeless,' 'at risk,' 'street-wise teens,' or 'behaviourally disordered.'

"Alternate Shelter Society assumes that behaviour has meaning and purpose. Behaviour challenges, anger/violence, street involvement, substance abuse, criminal connection and even self-mutilation are survival strategies for the youth we serve. Such behaviours are attempts by children and youth to create situations where they feel in control -- where they think they have a choice. We have seen that strong people can emerge when this survival drive can be reassigned from self-destructive behaviour to healthy functional skill development that will help them integrate into their families and communities."