YOUTH SERVICES
Cowichan Valley Youth Services is your source for support. Whether you are struggling with school, relationships, anxiety, gender-identity, or emotional regulation, our trained team members are here to help you navigate the challenges of young adulthood.
YOUTH PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Counselling & Outreach Support
Free, confidential counselling support for youth ages 13-18.
Connect with one of our Youth & Family Counsellors today in-office or via mobile outreach, so you can choose the environment that's right for you.
“I’m interested in receiving counselling support. What happens next?”
Take the first step today by calling 250-748-0232, by sending us a message on Facebook or Instagram, or dropping by our office at 294 Coronation Avenue.
Once you’ve made contact with us, you will be placed on our waitlist and our intake counsellor will connect with you and set up your first meeting. After your intake appointment and while you wait to be assigned a counsellor, we will stay in touch to see how you are doing and keep you updated on additional opportunities to receive support, such as art and hiking groups, or special events.
Groups
We offer a variety of groups throughout the year including outdoors and art group, and Pro-D Day events.
For more information about what we currently offer you can call our office, at 250-748-0232 or visit us on Facebook!
FREE Active Tuesdays - Recreational Youth Programming
Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:00 pm (Ongoing Registrations)
Games, activities, and fun with Cowichan Valley Youth Services staff and Alexis Cronk, member of the Canadian Women's Rowing Team.
Support for Gender-Diverse Youth
Gender-Affirming Counselling Services
CVYS provides free, confidential, low-barrier gender-affirming counselling support to youth aged 13-18. Our skilled Youth & Family Counsellors support and validate youth in their exploration of identity and help bridge gaps in communication and understanding within families to increase feelings of safety and renewed connection. CVYS also provides support to parents and caregivers of gender non-conforming youth through one-to-one and drop in parent coaching.
Gender-Affirming Clothing, Chest Binders & Trans Tape
CVYS is an official Qmunity Fitting Room Site for their Gender Supportive Wear Program. We offer a fitting room with instructions/education on how to utilize chest binders safely, and maintain a stock of gender-affirming clothing/accessories as well as Trans Tape for our youth clients to access free of charge.
2SLBTQIA+ Group Programming & Community Events
Throughout the year, CVYS offers group programming and community events intended to create safe, celebratory spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to gather in both recreational and therapeutic contexts. Examples of past events include a Halloween Drag Show and a Valentines’ Day Pride Gathering. Visit our Events Calendar on our website to view upcoming events.
Employment Support
Are you an employer curious about how you can help young people to RISE?
Youth Employment Mentorship Program (YEMP) is evolving...
After more than 20 years of offering YEMP as a 12-week, paid cohort-based program for youth who face barriers to employment, we are re-developing the program to offer more diverse supports
to a larger number of young people in the Cowichan region.
RISE is an innovative, two-year empowerment program that builds on proven approaches to youth development, expanding opportunities and supports for young people ages 15-24 across the Cowichan Valley. The program helps youth build confidence, stability, and essential life skills through tailored guidance in employment, education, housing, and personal growth.
We are in the process of re-developing YEMP and will be relaunching as RISE in late Spring 2026.
If you'd like to be added to our waiting list or would like to receive up-to-date information about RISE as we launch the program, Click here to add your name to our RISE mailing list.
Gratitude to the Partners Who Make this Work Possible
