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CORE PRINCIPLES
Our 5 Pillars

YDS is grounded in core principles that ensure safe, respectful, and empowering support for every young person. These principles guide how we build trusting relationships, foster personal growth, and prepare youth for positive futures.

1. TRUST - Consistency & Reliability

Many young people have experienced frequent changes in their relationships, structures and environments. Showing up consistently - being on time, keeping promises, and maintaining contact - builds trust over time and leads by example of what healthy relationships and core values are. They need to know we are dependable and they can rely on us no matter how big or small the commitment.

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2. ACCEPTANCE - Unconditional Positive Regard & Non-Judgement

Journeying through adolescence, youth often carry shame, fear of rejection or a sense they don’t belong. Our mentoring offers warmth, genuine acceptance and non-judgement. By being patient, listening and responding to mistakes with understanding instead of criticism, individuals feel valued and accepted as they are.

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3. STABILITY - Emotional Safety & Care

Youth that have lived with uncertainty, conflict and unpredictability often don't feel emotionally safe. Understanding the importance of creating calm, caring and stable relationships is our utmost importance for nurturing progress and growth. It allows for them to be themselves, share their experiences, express and work through their worries, fears, anxieties and mistakes without fear of judgment or punishment.

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4. SUPPORT - Empowerment & Shared Decision-Making 

Young people thrive when they feel a sense of control over their own future. Our mentoring is collaborative - not top-down. Encouraging them to plan their own goals, explore their strengths and interests, and empowering them to make good choices - with our guidance - builds confidence and ownership.

The goal is to be a trusted partner along side them in their journey.

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5. GROWTH - Hope & Future Visioning

Many young people with tough pasts and challenges struggle to believe their future can be different. We help them see hope, explore and build a vision of possibilities and set realistic goals towards it.

Helping them see a future they can look forward to builds confidence in their self belief.

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