Province bucks up aid for street kids

B.C.'s Ministry of Children and Families minister Lois Boone announced a province-wide initiative last week to provide more support for street youth who are looking for help leaving the sex trade and life on the street.

The ministry will allocate $1.25 million for 25 new outreach and support workers, and $1 million for safe housing for youth leaving the sex trade.

In smaller communities outside Vancouver, the ministry will also provide $700,000 for a program to help subsidize rents.

A recent report on service gaps to street youth estimates that Vancouver agencies deal with about 300 to 500 street-involved youth.