Empowering Vulnerable Youth Through Hope-Centred Education and Career Development

Hope is a good coping resource that can buffer adversity and stress and help individuals confront uncertainty, loss, and major life challenges. It is a psychological strength and a possible protective factor linked to resilience among youth.

For vulnerable youth, schools can be a gateway to instill hope and optimism and overcome negative influences. “Hopeful thinking [can] influence goal-setting, motivation to pursue goals and to identify viable pathways to the achievement of goals during this transitional period to adulthood,” – Yafit Sulimani-Aidan, Eran Melkman write.

Encouraging Youth to Dream

Reboot Plus is a youth education and career development program for vulnerable youth; a first-of-its-kind in Canada, where employment is not the specific outcome; rather, it focuses on “hope-centred” education and career development.

Every young person carries the potential to achieve greatness. Yet, to realize their wildest dreams and unlock their best potential, they need more than just ambition; they need guidance, support, and opportunities. The program is designed to return a sense of possibility to a group of people who have just about given up on “being” anything. We encourage that blissfully ignorant, batshit crazy, threading the needle sense of possibility.

“I guess the biggest surprise is that other programs for atypical youth have not been run like Reboot Plus all along. It’s not rocket science. We just focus on positivity, community, and feeling good,” says Peter Wilkins of Douglas College.

Building a Culture of Hope

Educators play a pivotal role in fostering hope among vulnerable youth. Creating a supportive and inclusive environment can help students develop a sense of belonging and optimism about their future.

“When we started to learn more about who our students were and some of the barriers and challenges they faced, we were able to create a more individualized and student focused way of presenting the curriculum.”- Kari MacDougall was a facilitator of the program.

Connecting Youth with Mentors

Incorporating mentorship is also beneficial. It provides youth with guidance, support, and real-world examples of success, helping them see a brighter future for themselves. Many vulnerable youths lack access to career and educational opportunities. Mentors can introduce them to new possibilities, connect them with professionals, and open doors they might not have considered otherwise.

Each Reboot Plus youth participant meets between four and seven professionals within occupational fields of their interest.

“I believe that I’m at a stage of my life that it’s really important for me to give back to the young people coming up behind me. I feel this is a responsibility of a mature person of society. Sharing our stories passes our knowledge to youth. Youth gain insight, but I also gain knowledge of what is going on for them in their world and their time.” Cliff Thorbes is a professional who has volunteered his time and expertise to the participants of the Reboot Plus program, offering informational interviews to youth.

Why We Need Hope Now More Than Ever

The world today presents unprecedented challenges for young people, from economic uncertainty to the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students face mounting stress, mental health struggles, and a lack of clear direction. Vulnerable youth are disproportionately affected by these challenges, making hope an essential tool for resilience and motivation.

A report from Children First Canada highlights that youth mental health concerns have skyrocketed, with many struggling to see a path forward. Hope provides the necessary mindset to counteract these difficulties, encouraging young people to believe that they can navigate through adversity and create a meaningful future for themselves. By prioritizing hope in education and career development, we can help Canada’s youth to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

Take Action Today

We are accepting applications for 2025. Students can apply to the following campuses for the next intake:

Reboot Plus is a youth education and career development program delivered in partnership by Douglas College and PEERs Employment and Education Resources, with expansion to Fanshawe College and College of the North Atlantic.

Participants are vulnerable youth aged 17 to 24 who have not finished high school and do not have a plan for their future. The 16-week program helps participants identify their values, personality, interests and skills, meet with professionals and develop an education and career action plan.

The Reboot Plus project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.
Le projet Reboot Plus est financé par le Centre des Compétences futures du gouvernement du Canada