Recipients for the 2014-15 UP Program- for projects occurring between January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015:

1. Boyle Street Community Services(EDMONTON)- Water Wings Employment Readiness for Aboriginal Youth and Aboriginal Young Adults– The Water Wings Employment Readiness and Upgrading Program, offered by Boyle Street Community Services, prepares students for the world of work.  Our experienced teaching staff, guide students in carrying out career investigations and making career choices, doing job searches, building impressive resumes, making job applications and preparing thoroughly for job interviews.  We also prepare students for the trades and the Trade Apprenticeship Entrance Examinations. We focus on workplace safety and prepare our students for safety ticket exams, such as the Basic Food Safety, Standard First Aid and the Construction Safety Training System ticket. These safety tickets set our students apart in a highly competitive job market. We have in the past helped hundreds of our students get jobs.  Come fly with us.
2. Calgary John Howard Society- Aboriginal Youth Outreach Program- The Aboriginal Youth Outreach Program (AYOP) supports multi-barriered Indigenous youth aged 16 to 24 who may have been involved with, or are at-risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. The program offers client-centred case management, community outreach, and advocacy to promote a positive lifestyle. Youth are assisted in reuniting with their culture and families through the inclusion of Indigenous ceremonies and activities offered on-site and in the community.
3. Calgary Police Services- Youth At Risk Development (YARD) Aboriginal Support Team–  The YARD Program is an evidence-based initiative which works with identified youth 10 to 17 years who are at risk of initiation into street gangs or those who have already exhibited some level of gang involvement. YARD’s services are prevention-oriented for young people deemed at high risk of gang involvement and more intervention focused on deterring the further criminal activities by those already involved in gang related activity. The program targets both boys and girls and is voluntary for all potential participants. The new YARD Indigenous Team will consist of a police officer and registered social worker who will work exclusively with Indigenous young people referred to the program and will provide programming opportunities that align with the Indigenous community, culture, history and identity.
4. Canadian Red Cross Society(CALGARY)- Safe Nations First: Aboriginal Community Violence and Abuse Prevention Empowerment Initiative (Year one)– The Safe Nations First (SNF) initiative is an Indigenous community specific violence and abuse prevention project that promotes positive healthy relationships and is delivered via locally based Indigenous community organizations. With over thirty years experience in the development and delivery of such programs, the Canadian Red Cross will enter in programmatic partnerships with Indigenous organizations in seven Alberta municipalities. The Red Cross will  empower the communities, offering training so the Indigenous communities themselves can deliver proven programmatic practices and curricula while continuing to ensure that excellence, accountability, and best practices are retained. Through direct education and training, it is the aim of this initiative to build capacity and provide these organizations and staff members the necessary resources, skills, and on-going support to make long-term positive efforts, developing healthy supportive relationships and violence and abuse prevention practices within their own community.
5. Edmonton Catholic Schools Division No.7-Aboriginal Learning Services- Braided Journeys Leadership Academy– The Braided Journeys Leadership Academy is a holistic academic, cultural and career development initiative which teaches First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth to become leaders of character, vision and action. FNMI youth are provided multi-component, culturally-based activities that challenges their creativity, builds on their leadership skills and develops their career related skills. The project will cultivate skills that employers seek in the emergent workforce while also bonding youth to school and community.
6. iHuman Youth Society (EDMONTON)- iSucceed – a transformational leadership program for resilient youth (working title)– iSucceed is a pilot initiative of iHuman Youth Society to engage vulnerable Indigenous youth in stabilizing their participatory capacity in the economy through focused outreach projects, volunteer engagement and training experiences.  Encircled by a personalized network of champions, youth will identify their hopes and be supported to experiment in these areas.  By developing a work-related support network, it is projected that youth can overcome barriers preventing their successful entrance to a path and future direction of their own creation
7. Métis Calgary Family Services Society- Aboriginal Students Program– “Aboriginal Students Stay in School Program” (ASP) Engages and inspires urban Indigenous youth; unlocking their potential while developing Leadership and community involvement, with spiritual, emotional, physical and mental strengths thru knowledge transfer and traditional sharing opportunities. Target: Calgary urban Indigenous youth, ages 10 – 18, children & youth are supported in building positive relationships and traditional cultural connections within their community and schools reducing the risk of dropping out of school.
8. Region IV Metis Nation of Alberta (PEACE RIVER) – Youth Moving Forward– “Youth Moving Forward” is a Region VI Métis Nation initiative built on the firm belief that assisting our youth today ensures a viable future for tomorrow. By offering our youth as many opportunities as possible we strive to build on our youths dreams. “Youth Moving Forward” will create options and break barriers for our youth to enter today’s growing economy.
9. Miywasin Society of Aboriginal Services (MEDICINE HAT)- Camp Miywasin- Miywasin Society will be implementing the Camp Miywasin project under the UP program. Our long-term vision for the camp, is to create a year-round camping facility “to share and create a safe environment at Camp Miywasin to celebrate our Indigenous Cultures, respect our diversity, build our future while reinforcing our connection to the land.”  The project will have Indigenous staffing to develop the camp activities, market the camp and operate the camp thereby increasing Indigenous peoples participation in the economy, as well as provide sustainability for the camp through capitalizing on the Indigenous tourism market within the Park; this in turn will help to sustain operations for the camp, making it a viable means for employment for Indigenous people and an income revenue source to maintain the facilities and operations.
10. Riel Institute for Education & Learning (CALGARY)- Aboriginal Youth Connections– Riel Institute delivers the Aboriginal Youth Connections program to at risk youth in the Calgary area. This program includes 12 weeks Group based skills including, employabilities, life enhancement and career explorations. We follow the group-based programming with a 12 week supported work placement. Cultural programming and Elder support is woven throughout the project. Funding from Service Canada provides a minimum wage stipend for participants.
11. Native Addictions Service Society (CALGARY)- Cultural Outreach Initiative– Partnering with Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural centres and health related agencies throughout Calgary and area, The Cultural Outreach Initiative is intended to provide cultural instruction and knowledge by learning and understanding cultural recovery, sensitivity and awareness and to provide non-Indigenous participants with a greater understanding of the issues and challenges facing Indigenous people in Canada both within the agency and community agencies. The Initiative will strengthen our organizational capacity through new and existing community relationships, improve sobriety outcomes and emotional well-being.
12. Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre (FORT MCMURRAY)- Strengthening the Next Generation– Through the delivery of cultural supports, one on mentoring, homework support and social leadership skill development “Strengthening The Next Generation” project will encourage aboriginal children, living in the community of Fort McMurray to be inspired to learn, remain in school and achieve their educational potential. Indigenous children ages 7-13 and youth ages 14-20 will feel connected to their Indigenous identity and develop the confidence to realize how their education can open doors for their future.
13. High Level Native Friendship Centre- Seven Generations Youth Centre- The High Level Native Friendship Centre Society’s ~ Seven Generation Youth Centre is a culturally based youth program. We support & engage urban Indigenous Youth and their families, by utilizing the Dene, Cree and other relevant Traditional teachings & knowledge; Core aspects of the programming is applying the 7 Sacred Teachings and Medicine wheel  models, which, when integrated with the Lifeskills component and strong community partners will enhance the quality of life of urban Indigenous people, and contribute to an increased participation  in the economy.
14. Grande Prairie Friendship Centre- On Campus Friendship Centre– The On Campus Friendship Centre is an outreach program that focuses on working with the many Indigenous post secondary students attending Grande Prairie Regional College. The Outreach Worker will immediately introduce students to the urban Indigenous community, connecting them with the resources and supports within the Friendship Centre, within the community and within within College such as tutoring, sports teams, housing and extra circular activities. This creates an environment where Indigenous students feel a part of the student body and college as a whole. While the focus of this program is promoting post secondary education, the end result is increased employment and career opportunities for Indigenous youth.
15. Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre – Housing First– Housing First for Slave Lake is a collaborative effort of several stakeholders with the objective of ending homelessness through an innovative and proven model, Housing First! Housing First is derived from the concept ‘house them first, then deal with underlying issues’, we endeavor to address a multitude of social, health and economic barriers that prevent persons from obtaining and maintaining housing and financial stability. Professional and cultural healing and rehabilitation will be incorporated collaboratively with local health agencies and the Indigenous community at large.
16. Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre- New Horizons Youth Project- The New Horizons Youth Project is designed to provide youth with the knowledge of the Seven Sacred Teachings.  The New Horizons Youth Project is delivered to a minimum of 40 youth, between 10 to 24 years of age who will participate in the afterschool programming available Monday to Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and no-school Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.   All programming offered encompasses the 4 core components of holistic development, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual, thereby enhancing youth abilities to make positive lifestyle choices that enable them to be effective contributors to themselves, their families, community and the economy as a whole.  
17. Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre- Engaging Our People- Through collaborative partnerships , the “Engaging our People” project will provide individual and group counselling and advocacy which will help urban Indigenous people, particularly youth to develop independence; strengthen coping skills; become more resistant to crisis; and assume responsibility for decisions and actions affecting them. Participants will gain knowledge and confidence in navigating community resources resulting in self-reliance and improved community connections which will resulting in increased participation in the economy.
18. Canadian Native Friendship Centre (EDMONTON)- Todays Leaders (Youth Project)- The Canadian Native Friendship Centre (CNFC) Today’s Leaders youth project will engage youth with numerous partners and Elders who will work together to determine the youth participants education and employment goals.  A cultural component of the project will keep the youth in touch with their roots, and strengthen their leadership capabilities.  The leadership component will help the youth build confidence and self-esteem, which in turn will encourage the youth to make wise choices. The leadership group will also have an education component of the program with guest speakers from various post-secondary institutions. Indigenous youth will be encouraged to learn about and participate in Toast Masters, a group focused on improving public speaking and leadership skills.  An overall project goal is to increase youth’s participation in the economy.
19. Edson Friendship Centre- Edson Rural Homelessness Project- The Edson Friendship Centre proposed to combat Indigenous rural homelessness through the development of a regional rural homeless initiative. The initiative would use a modified Housing First Model and the Intensive Case Management Approach.  Working in a collaborative approach, the program will provide outreach and coordination of existing community services.  The intent of the programs is to address all housing issues amongst the Indigenous population with the spectrum of the Housing First Model, and ultimately creating a stability of housing for all Indigenous residents.
20. Hinton Friendship Centre- Hinton Youth Project Mahihkank – The Hinton Youth Initiatives Project “Mahihank” has a strong concentration on employment skills and education. The Project will enable and empower Indigenous Youth to have access and a better understanding of the educational system offered in our area and beyond.  Our youth have opportunity to work with culturally sensitive businesses as well as mainstream. We also provide our youth with an afterschool program where youth come into smudge, practice drumming, traditional dance and participate in ceremonies to provide culturally relevant programming. We want to give our youth the BEST chance at becoming self sufficient and independent adults. 
21. Red Deer Native Friendship Society- Aboriginal Youth Centre for Success Learning Project- The Aboriginal Youth Centre for Success (AYCS) Project will provide youth ages 10-25 with SCcyber school program, Life skills and Leadership Development workshops and skill development and employability preparation designed to empower youth to become true participants in local, provincial and national economies accessing equity for all Canadians. 
22. Sikoohkotoki Friendship Society (LETHBRIDGE)- Sik ooh Kotoki Youth Task Force-  The Sik Ooh Kotoki Youth Task Force (SYTF) will develop and implement initiatives so that youth will have the necessary tools and skills to strive in the economy. These initiatives include:

• Initiatives that engage urban youth, Indigenous youth and stakeholder
• Projects that assist in leadership
•  Projects that support urban Indigenous youth
• Cultural and language development preservation
•  Recreational 

The SYTF will provide opportunities for upstream involvement and input by the youth with respect to youth programming and activities and events at the Centre. These highlighted areas were a need given by the youth in previous Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee. With guidance from the Elders and the community the youth will enhance their skills and be provides the tools and resources.