Overview of Programs

Inner City Youth Alive has been changing the lives of youth, one life at a time. It began in 1986, when Co-founder Kent Dueck and a friend decided to take action in making the inner city a brighter place by taking kids from Rossbrook House (an inner city drop-in) on wilderness camping trips in an old CN van. The van has now grown into a 20,000 square foot facility in the North End of Winnipeg on the corner of Aberdeen and Salter, offering many programs and initiatives. Programs offered are the following:

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The Bridge
The Bridge drop-in is a recreational centre, seeking to provide a relational bridge between youth in our community and healthy Christian role models. The drop-in meets the needs of youth at various levels; it usually is our first point of contact and is the funnel to our other programs. At our open drop-in centre, there will be anywhere from 50 - 80 children per night, providing local youth, ages 6 and up, with a safe and accepting environment and a place to be. Tuesday nights are for 13 and up, and Thursday nights are for youth ages 6-12.

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Discipled Leaders (DL)
Over the years, a number of youth who regularly participated in the different programs offered at ICYA have demonstrated strong leadership skills. In 2009, ICYA once again began offering weekly opportunities for these youth to develop their leadership gifts and grow in their understanding of living a life under Jesus' leadership. The program is called DL – the Discipled Leaders. Each week, leaders and youth meet to sing, study the Bible, and participate in activities designed to learn about working as part of a team, encourage leadership, and clear communication. The youth are encouraged to become part of the ICYA team as drop in volunteers, summer staff, and role models in the community.

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Inner City Motorsport
Inner City Motorsport car club meets every Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. with youth who have an interest in fixing and modifying vehicles to be raced at Red River Co-op Speedway. Regular races take place from April to September and ice racing from mid January - March. The program's drive is mentorship, building self-confidence, teaching job skills, equipping the youth for their future and being a father to those that are fatherless. Click to learn more »

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Gem Lake Wilderness Camp
Gem Lake Wilderness Camp is set a world away from the pressures and conflicts of the inner city in the beautiful Nopiming Provincial Park, located 250 km North of Winnipeg (past Lac du Bonnet). After the long 3 hour drive, our kids then hike 2 km to the lake, where boats shuttle them 4 km to the camp in the summer. In winter, kids experience a 6 km snowmobile ride to reach camp. The camp program is specifically designed for the youth of the inner city, offering an adventure they have never experienced before. Our goals are that campers will enjoy a space where they can come quietly before God and where leaders can strengthen their faith and leadership skills. Our 1:1 camper to leader ratio offers many opportunities for youth and staff to build meaningful, mentoring relationships.

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Wilderness Out Trips
Welcome to the wilderness. A chance to spend a day, a night, or a week outside of the city - breathing fresh air, sleeping in tents, and participating in physically challenging activities. A chance to experience peace, natural beauty, and rewards for hard work. A chance to push limits, face fears, work hard, and test strengths. A chance to find freedom and enjoy activities that encourage growth. Out trips at ICYA have become a way of developing deep connections, and opening doors to recreational and relational opportunities back in the city. Trips range from one day paddles on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in Winnipeg to 80 km on the Manigotagan; climbing 60' cliffs in Ontario to hiking 40 km in 4 days through Spruce Woods Provincial Park.

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Work Skills Training
The program provides specific job skills training in home repair and renovation, including carpentry, flooring, basic electrical and plumbing, through practical work experience. Trainees begin the program with basic skills and safety training, and then under the guidance of qualified staff, have opportunities to learn on the job through work contracts with local homeowners. Training is also provided in client relations and life issues. Trainees who prove capable and reliable will be encouraged and assisted in obtaining full time employment with another company, or to start their own contracting business, or they may continue working under our supervision.

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Meals for Kids
The Meals for Kids program provides healthy, nutritious meals in a safe and monitored environment on Wednesday and Thursday evenings to the children in the community. Many children in the North End experience poverty, abuse and neglect, and as a result, do not eat properly or may go hungry. Our goal is to provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment, where children can engage with each other and adults while having a healthy meal. The program is designed to be more than a meal.

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Community Outreach
Community Outreach is designed to intentionally reach out to the families in our community by having a community minister(s) available for support and care, to walk alongside our young adults, foster relationships within our community, and encourage partnerships with area churches.

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St. Aidan's Christian School
Inner City Youth Alive and St. Aidan's Anglican Church have formed a partnership to provide a school for 30 students in grades 5 - 8, who are having a hard time in the public school system and need an intimate educational experience with high staff to student ratios. All core subjects are taught and a lunch program is provided.