Frequently Asked Questions

There is no cost to you or your family. Agencies invest in young people's futures, so your housing, grocery support, and programming are covered. You cook for yourself. In Phase 1, there is also a weekly incentive when you meet the expectations you set with your team. A support, not a wage.

Pet policies are discussed on a case-by-case basis during intake. We want to be flexible, but we also need to consider other residents and the housing space. Talk to us about your situation.

Yes. Anyone can reach out, including you. To move in, you need to be involved with CFS (you have a caseworker or an agency), because placements are funded and approved through your agency. If you’re 16–21 and in Winnipeg, call us and we will set up a call with you and your worker.

Absolutely. We encourage it. We offer high school equivalency (CAEC) prep, homework support, and connections to post-secondary programs. Education is part of your independence plan.

At graduation (~age 21), the goal is that you keep a home and stay set up. After you leave, you can still call us.

Yes. We know that many of our youth come from communities where church, ceremony, or both are central to daily life. We support whatever spiritual path is meaningful to you — whether that’s traditional First Nations or Métis ceremony, attending a local church, or something else entirely. Your spiritual wellness is yours to define, and we’ll help you stay connected to the communities and practices that matter to you.

Yes. Family connection is important and encouraged. Residents manage their own visitors, the same as anyone living on their own. Like any landlord, we have two property rules: no alcohol on any New Steps property, and guests out by 11 p.m.

Stay connected, attend family events when invited, and encourage their goals. Our staff can discuss ways you can be involved in their journey while respecting their growing independence.

Safety is our top priority. Every resident has 24/7 support and can reach our team at any hour. Youth Life Skills Coaches visit and stay in touch. Our apartment buildings have building staff on site about 16 hours a day. They look after the building and grounds, keep an eye on who’s coming and going, and deal with anything that comes up. They work for the building and are not caregivers. In the odd home where a placing agency has asked for extra support, a house monitor looks after the home; house monitors are not caregivers either. All New Steps staff have Criminal Record Checks and Child Abuse Registry checks.

Contact us by phone or email with basic information about the youth. We’ll set up a joint call with you and the young person to talk through their needs, history, and whether New Steps is the right fit.

We aim to respond to all referrals within 2 business days. If there’s a waitlist, we’ll communicate that clearly and discuss alternative options.

Yes. We use a trauma-informed, harm-reduction approach. We don’t require sobriety as a condition of entry. We connect youth with appropriate clinical supports and work collaboratively with their worker and wider support team.

Yes. Because a young person’s placement is arranged and funded through their CFS agency, we share information about their progress, safety and needs with their caseworker and placing agency. Caseworkers get regular written updates. Young people are told this when they move in.

Yes. Our Mother Program is for young women who are expecting or already have young children. Each mom lives in her own fully furnished apartment and stays the parent. Our team supports her with getting to prenatal and doctor’s appointments, budgeting and setting up for a baby, and connecting with community supports. Ask about it when you make a referral.