The West Island Health and Social Services Agency and Batshaw Youth and Family Centres have teamed up to help youths in group homes transition into adulthood and the real world.
It's called The Aspire Residential Resource - a unique program that began in July where young adults from group homes live like roommates in a house where they can stay a maximum of two years - working and going to school, sharing household duties. They have to pay a monthly rent of $200, half the amount reimbursed when they leave after a maximum stay of two years.
Shuyee Lee/CJAD 800 NEWS
"Susanna" who can't be identified because of the Youth Protection Act works part-time and is studying to be a labour and delivery nurse. She said it's not like being in a group home.
"There's so much structure- here there is no structure like a group home, you won't find the same structure at all because here you are to work at becoming an adult," said Susanna in an interview with CJAD 800 News.
"Very different (from a group home), here you manage your own life, you have to be responsible for yourself."
Shuyee Lee/CJAD 800 NEWS
Susanna has lived at the house since October with four other young adults and a volunteer live-in mentor.
"They get some extra time, extra support. The idea is not just because you turn 18 you need to be on your own," said Batshaw educator Danny Hoelscher, who pays weekly visits to see how everyone is doing.
Jessica Perreault-Howarth, the mentor of the house, said she's not there to be a mother figure or referee but rather someone to help guide the house residents.
"There's not always going to be an "authority figure" who's going to come and intervene if you have a disagreement with your roommate. This is part of life skills," said Perreault-Howarth.
Shuyee Lee/CJAD 800 NEWS
Susanna said it's been a great support system and urges others in her situation to try it out.
"It's very helpful, it'll help you," said Susanna.
"It just gives me reassurance that there are other people here going through the same situation and there are resouces to help me, so I'm not alone."