A home for great young men in Lacombe who need help working toward being independent and contributing to the community is celebrating its first anniversary in our City.

Central Alberta Youth Unlimited cut the ribbon on the YU-Turn Home last December, and they've been having success mentoring 16-24 year olds with everything from help budgeting, working towards graduation, securing work and even obtaining learner's or driver's licenses.

Youth Unlimited Executive Director Jake Schellenberg says this home was years in the making, and the heart of the home is driven by their staff who work in our local schools "so our workers are often in contact with mentoring relationships with students we would categorize as at risk, so they don't have a home, they don't have an address, they couch surf.  They are very resilient and smart, they are able to live out of a backpack and make it work, even make it to class on time which is incredible.  As an organization we just really felt we could do something that would make life better for those guys".

There is space for 4 young men in the home, with an in home house parent who works to show them what regular life is like, builds relationships and mentors.

They sign a contract, pay rent, and are welcome to stay in the home as long as they are going to school or working.

Those in the home are also supported by a youth worker who helps them take steps to get their lives on track.

Youth Unlimited is currently looking for bed sponsors to help with the operational costs of the home; cost is $250 a month.  Contact Central Alberta Youth Unlimited.