British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

The Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) Initiative is intended for Aboriginal youth between 15 and 24 who live in communities with populations over 1,000, regardless of status, culture or gender, and may include Aboriginal children and youth ages 10-14 years, or young Aboriginal adults ages 25-29 years. Where programs engage youth from 10-14 or 25-29 years, an explanation of why youth in this age group have been included will be required. Programs that are funded will have strong involvement and participation of Aboriginal youth at all stages, i.e., planning, development and delivery of the program.

The overall goal of the UMAYC Initiative is to create a network of urban multipurpose Aboriginal youth centres that will provide accessible, Aboriginal community-based, culturally relevant and supportive programs, services and counselling to urban Aboriginal youth, and facilitate their participation in existing programs in order to improve their economic, social and personal prospects. The Initiative is in support of measures that equip and encourage urban Aboriginal youth, regardless of status, culture or gender, to meet their challenges and improve their life prospects.

The UMAYC Initiative was launched in February 1999 in response to a commitment made by the government in its election platform. Originally approved to March 31, 2003, the Initiative was extended to March 31, 2005, to be included in an overall study of the 13 programs and initiatives of the Aboriginal Affairs Branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage. In May of 2005, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced a five-year extension of the UMAYC Initiative to operate until 2010. The UMAYC Initiative is designed to provide urban Aboriginal youth with a wide range of culturally based programs, services and activities that are locally controlled and designed in conjunction with Aboriginal youth. Year-to-year programs, services and activities will be structured in a manner that will empower Aboriginal youth to address the challenges they face and determine their own future with a sense of pride in a safe and culturally relevant environment.

The key objectives of the UMAYC Initiative are:

• To provide accessible, community-based, culturally relevant
  programs for Aboriginal youth designed to develop their skills and knowledge. Programs are focused on:
  
  • Life Skills
  • Health
  • Personal Development
  • Cultural Development
  • Community Involvement
  • Leadership Development
   
• To involve Aboriginal Youth in the management of UMAYC through youth advisory committees (Youth Advisory Councils/Committees)
• To improve the cultural, social, economic and personal prospects of urban Aboriginal youth.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT UMAYC DOWNLOADS & APPLICATION PAGE

Useful links include:
National Association of Friendship Centres: http://www.nafc.com
Canadian Hertiage: http://www.pch.gc.ca

For more information please contact:
Tanya L. McKenzie, UMAYC Provincial Coordinator
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
#200 - 506 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8R 4W6
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1-800-990-2432
Fax (250) 388-5502