YOUTH UNLIMITED
WHO WE ARE
“Connecting youth & transforming lives”
If there is just ONE caring adult in the life of a vulnerable youth, (vulnerable being anyone needing special care, support or protection because of things like life difficulties or risk) they have a 70% chance of thriving. Youth Unlimited help calls kids out of isolation into real relationship where they can experience the love of God through the care and support.
BACKGROUND
Youth Unlimited, is known internationally as Youth for Christ and is nationwide in over 110 countries. Canada alone has 33 chapters. Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited is 1 chapter. Surrey is 1 area out of 9 spanning from North Vancouver to Chilliwack.
Young Families is 1 program within Surrey
Young Families exists to welcome pregnant and parenting youth, into a caring, safe and supportive environment. Thrive is a cornerstone program within Young Families. Thrive is an 18-month life skills program, for vulnerable young moms age 19-25, empowering them with the skills, resources and guidance they need to overcome challenges and restore their families.
Charlotte Toney is one of 3 Thrive staff, and facilitates the program alongside the director and on-site counsellor. All Youth Unlimited staff are local missionaries, and therefore rely on the generosity of partners to do this work in Surrey.
“I am thankful for Thrive because I have learned so much and have felt more love than ever before” - Thrive Participant.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE YOUTH UNLIMITED
TO GIVE: CLICK ON THE MISSIONAL FUND IN THE DROP DOWN MENU.
Our 2024 Annual Report reflects 12 months of dedicated, long-term youth work at Greater Vancouver Youth Unlimited. Through these 12 months, we celebrated, laughed and cried with, and journeyed alongside more than 3,400 youth.
Their stories – each and every one precious and unique – include us, because of you. Thank you for your generous financial investment in Charlotte Toney’s steadfast work. We are honoured that you would stand with her, and ultimately, with all of our youth.
Please know that it’s your support, and the support of people like you – your resources, your time, your prayers – that allow us to walk alongside these young people day after day.
Young Families Update - Spring 2025
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Our annual Mother's Day event is always an anticipated morning for the young moms and all involved. We love being intentional about honouring the moms we work with and making it extra special. Since becoming a mom myself, I have said over these years how incredibly amazed I am with the young moms we work with and how inspiring they are. They continue to push against the barriers and strive for more, even in the midst of grappling anxiety, low mental health and, for many, a lack of or no support. This is why Young Families Program is such a vital part of the community - the consistency of what we offer makes a difference. Moms and families keep showing up. This Mother's Day we were thankful to provide a space to honour these moms. We spent the morning feasting over a lovely brunch, getting professional mom & daughter/son photos, and having a guest artist lead a creative project of stencilling tote bags. A week later we did our weekly program and two of the moms walked in with their bags, full of things they needed for the day. One mom expressed how she really loved her bag and seemed so proud of what she created (picture above). Thank you for being a part of mornings like this, your consistent financial support offers the ability and space to provide care that goes above and beyond. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do what I do.
On that note, I continue to support staff through supervision and walk alongside the team in a more intentional way. It's a gift and an honour. The Young Families team put their hearts into what they do. We have many moms at the moment who are struggling with simply leaving the house, doing day-to-day tasks, struggling with food insecurity, and fighting to get the support they need for themselves or children. We keep showing up. It often gives me a glimpse of God's love, and an opportunity to reflect His love to those we encounter. Though we have our weekly programs, what we do each week is beyond just a program - it is all of the encouraging texts, crisis calls, pick ups for appointments, one on ones to help with important paperwork, sitting with moms at laundromats, writing support/reference letters, helping with resumes, providing a listening ear and advocate where we can, etc.
If you'd like to support this program and help us reach new heights, please consider helping Young Families! We invite you to join us for our 2nd annual hike fundraiser. We will be hiking one of the three hikes, (shown in the picture above), depending on our fundraised amount by June 21.
Sign up to be a hiker or donate to cheer on a hiker and help Young Families raise the funds needed to help young moms and dads move out of isolation and into long-term healthy relationship. If you’d like to join our hiking team, please complete the registration here and our team will get back to you with more information (including details about each hike to help you feel prepared).
If you’d like to donate, please follow this link to learn more.
I'm grateful for you.
With much gratitude and a thankful heart,
Charlotte Toney
Picture: Our Annual Mother's Day Event for the Young Moms we get the honour of caring for and supporting.
