New youth supportive housing will be called The Switchback, photographed here on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The new youth housing is at the corner of Mellard Avenue and Young Road in Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)

New youth supportive housing will be called The Switchback, photographed here on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The new youth housing is at the corner of Mellard Avenue and Young Road in Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)

Launch of new supportive housing for homeless youth coming to downtown Chilliwack

Cyrus Centre has named their new housing project on Mellard Avenue 'The Switchback'

Cyrus Centre is working toward the launch of its new supportive housing project for youth in downtown Chilliwack.

The name of the 16-unit building, located on Mellard Avenue at Young Road, will be ‘The Switchback’ – a metaphorical reference to the sharp, 180-degree turns going up mountain.

“So, it could signify a radical change in direction, a path that looks less then straight but leads eventually to the top of a mountain,” said Cyrus Centre director Les Talvio in an online update.

The youth housing with wrap-around supports will help youth ages 16 to 24 conquer homelessness, poverty, mental health, and addictions by finding stability and safe housing.

“Plans are well underway in developing programs and supports for youth residing at The Switchback, which is why we are thrilled to welcome Thrive Collective.

“Thrive Collective is a multi-disciplinary team that features registered clinical counsellors, who will provide individual counselling for youth who may have experienced trauma,” wrote Talvio.

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Chilliwack Progress