Helping Youth in Recovery Build Skills and Stability on Prince Edward Island 

In Charlottetown and surrounding communities, the REACH Foundation is helping youth in recovery from mental health and addiction challenges rebuild their lives through hands-on learning and paid work experience. With support from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada grant, REACH is expanding its Finding Your Path and Expanding Your Reach programs, two complementary initiatives that give youth the tools, structure, and confidence to pursue education, employment, and independence. 

Learning, Healing, and Working Toward Independence 

Through small-group workshops and individualized coaching, participants learn practical life skills such as budgeting, communication, time management, and nutrition. They also gain paid work experience in REACH’s social enterprise shops, supported by qualified staff and peer mentors. These programs help youth transition gradually from recovery to meaningful employment, offering structure and stability while addressing the unique challenges that follow treatment, such as anxiety, isolation, and disrupted routines. 

“This grant allows REACH to continue providing essential mental health and employment readiness programming while offering a safe space for participants to stabilize, learn, and grow. It also helps us address the food insecurity so many of our participants face, giving them a sense of autonomy in choosing and preparing the food we share together,” the program says. 

Addressing Mental Health and Social Barriers 

Across Prince Edward Island, youth aged 18–34 report lower levels of community belonging than in previous years, with isolation, food insecurity, and mental health challenges on the rise. For young people in recovery, these pressures are even greater. Many face financial hardship, lack of social networks, and difficulty maintaining employment due to ongoing mental health struggles. In PEI’s small, tight-knit communities, limited access to services and stigma around addiction compound these barriers. 

By combining trauma-informed life skills education with real work experience, REACH helps participants overcome these obstacles in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Graduates report improved mental health, stable housing, and long-term employment. Proof that recovery and growth are possible when youth are given the right tools and care. 

Expanding Impact with Support from the Rideau Hall Foundation 

With funding from the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada Initiative, the REACH Foundation is strengthening its staffing, resources, and community engagement capacity to serve more youth across Prince Edward Island. Catapult support ensures participants receive nutritious meals, consistent mentorship, and the supplies they need to succeed in both learning and employment. 

Beyond financial support, Catapult connects REACH to a broader community of organizations working to make education and opportunity more accessible for all youth. By investing in the REACH Foundation, the Rideau Hall Foundation is helping young Islanders in recovery find purpose, connection, and a renewed sense of possibility.