What to Expect from Becket Hubs
What is Integrated Youth Services (IYS)?
Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a global movement focused on transforming how youth and their families find and access the supports they need. The model brings resources and services together in one place, making it easier for young people to navigate systems and receive timely, appropriate care.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, IYS hubs will be welcoming physical spaces designed to support youth aged 12–29. These hubs will offer a range of youth-focused services and reduce barriers that currently make it difficult for young people to get the help they need.
The goal of Newfoundland and Labrador’s IYS model is simple: to ensure communities can quickly connect youth with the right services, in the right place, at the right time, helping young people reach their full potential.
What is the IYS Initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Becket is a province-wide IYS initiative led by Choices for Youth, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a group of philanthropic partners. Together, these partners are committed to improving services for young people by expanding the IYS model across the province.
This initiative is grounded in extensive research, planning, and engagement, shaped by:
- The Health Accord for Newfoundland and Labrador
- Over four years of engagement with more than 1,000 youth, 300+ service providers, and 32 communities
- Collaboration with eight dedicated community steering committees
- Strong partnerships across government, community, and philanthropy
- Shared learning and best practices from IYS initiatives across Canada
Becket represents the development of a coordinated network of IYS hubs – a major shift from fragmented systems of support toward a more integrated, effective, and youth-centred model. These hubs will enhance access to mental health and addiction services, housing supports, primary care, employment, community, and more, ensuring young people across Newfoundland and Labrador can be supported in whatever way they need.
What does “Becket” mean?
The name Becket comes from the Beothuk language and means “where you go.”
This name reflects the vision of Becket as a welcoming space where young people can go to find support, connection, and community. It symbolizes belonging, accessibility, and hope.
The name Becket was chosen by the Provincial Youth Advisory Council and then voted on by community members, ensuring that youth and local voices were at the heart of this decision
What will the Becket IYS network look like in Newfoundland and Labrador?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Integrated Youth Services (IYS) — known locally as Becket — will bring together a wide range of supports and services in one accessible place. Each Becket hub will reflect the needs of its local community while following a shared provincial model.
Key components include:
- Supportive, respectful, and culturally safe services
Every Becket hub will be a welcoming and inclusive space where all youth and families feel safe, supported, and respected. Services will be culturally appropriate and designed to meet young people where they’re at.
- Collaboration and community partnerships
Each Becket hub will be managed by a local network of partner agencies working together to support youth.
- Each network will have a Lead Agency responsible for managing the hub.
- Partner Agencies will provide on-site services and supports – from mental health and addictions to employment, and housing.
- By working together and sharing information, service providers will help youth access what they need more quickly and easily.
- Co-designing services with youth and caregivers
Youth, families, and communities will help shape how services are designed and delivered.
- Each hub will have a Youth Advisory Committee
- Province-wide, two key groups will also guide the model:
- NL-IYS Guidance Council
- NL-IYS Youth Advisory Council
- Quality, evidence-based services
Becket hubs will continuously track, learn, and improve.
- Data and feedback will help identify what’s working well and where changes are needed.
- Research and evaluation from Newfoundland and Labrador will contribute to the Pan-Canadian IYS Learning Health System, helping improve youth services across the country.
Are there other jurisdictions offering IYS?
- Foundry (British Columbia)
- Kickstand (Alberta)
- Huddle (Manitoba)
- Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
- Aire ouverte (Québec)
- Integrated Service Delivery (New Brunswick)
Who can access Becket?
Becket is for young people aged 12–29 across Newfoundland and Labrador. You don’t need a referral — you can walk in, call, or reach out online.
What kind of services are offered at a Becket hub?
- Mental health and addictions counselling
- Primary health care
- Employment supports
- Housing navigation and life skills development
- Peer support
- Family and caregiver supports
- Cultural and community programming
What do “integrated services” and “co-location” mean?
Integrated services and co-location mean that youth can access a comprehensive range of supports all in one place. Within an IYS hub, young people and their caregivers are met with early intervention opportunities and rapid, seamless access to mental health, substance use, wellness, and other essential services -delivered in a youth-friendly, low-barrier environment.
Co-locating services in one physical space strengthens how providers work together. When teams are in close proximity, they can:
- Engage in frequent informal consultations
- Share knowledge and information more easily
- Build strong, trusting relationships
- Coordinate care more effectively
This collaborative environment increases the availability of service providers, improves organizational culture, and ultimately enhances both safety and quality of care for youth and families.
What is the Backbone Team?
The Backbone Team is a group of staff employed by the Administrative Host organization who provide the coordination and leadership needed to bring Becket hubs to life across Newfoundland and Labrador.
This team supports every aspect of the transformation, including:
- The successful planning and establishment of Becket hub sites
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Clinical service design and innovation
- Communications and partnership development
- Research, evaluation, and reporting
In short, the Backbone Team works behind the scenes to ensure all parts of the Becket network stay connected, informed, and moving forward together.
What is a Lead Agency?
A Lead Agency is the organization selected to take on overall responsibility for operating an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) hub within a community. While many partners contribute services and expertise, the Lead Agency plays the central coordinating role.
The Lead Agency is responsible for:
- Managing day-to-day operations of the hub
- Overseeing staffing, supervision, and service delivery
- Coordinating partner agencies to ensure seamless, integrated supports
- Managing budgets, reporting, and administrative requirements
- Ensuring youth-centred, culturally safe, and evidence-informed practices
- Supporting evaluation, data collection, and quality improvement
In short, the Lead Agency serves as the primary organization accountable for ensuring the hub runs smoothly and that youth and families have access to the full range of integrated services in their community
What is the Provincial Youth Advisory Council?
The Provincial Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of young people from across Newfoundland and Labrador who play a key role in shaping Becket’s Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative. The council ensures that youth voices, lived experiences, and ideas are at the centre of all planning, decision-making, and service design.
Members of the Youth Advisory Council:
- Provide feedback and advice on programs, policies, and services
- Co-design initiatives, helping ensure they are youth-friendly, accessible, and relevant
- Identify gaps and emerging needs in their communities
- Participate in consultations, events, and working groups
- Champion youth engagement within their regions and networks
The YAC brings together diverse perspectives and experiences, helping ensure that IYS services meet the real needs of young people aged 12–29. Their leadership strengthens the Becket network and ensures the system is shaped with youth, not just for youth.
Why is the Provincial Youth Advisory Council important?
Youth play a critical role in shaping Integrated Youth Services (IYS), and the Provincial Youth Advisory Council ensures that their voices truly guide the system. This is important because:
- Youth know what youth need.
Their lived experience provides insights that professionals alone cannot offer. Youth can highlight barriers, gaps, and opportunities that adults may overlook. - Services become more relevant and effective.
When youth help design and refine programs, those services are more likely to be accessible, welcoming, and actually used by young people. - It builds trust and accountability.
Youth involvement shows that the system values transparency and is willing to adapt based on real feedback. - It supports equity and inclusion.
Youth from diverse backgrounds bring a wide range of perspectives, ensuring services work for everyone – not just a few. - It strengthens long-term impact.
Engaging youth in decision-making builds leadership skills and creates a generation of informed advocates who can support ongoing system change.
In short, the Youth Advisory Council is essential because it ensures that Becket hubs in Newfoundland and Labrador are designed with youth, guided by youth, and continually improved by youth – leading to better outcomes for young people across the province.
What is Youth Engagement?
Youth engagement is an active, ongoing process that embeds youth voice at every level of decision-making. It involves creating meaningful opportunities for young people to build relationships with supportive adults, develop skills, contribute their ideas, and work on issues that matter to them.
Engaging youth means giving them real power to influence and shape their own lives in ways that align with their values, goals, and experiences. Effective youth engagement builds capacity and supports young people to contribute to positive change -whether at an individual, community, or societal/system level.
At its core, youth engagement is about partnership, respect, and ensuring that young people are recognized as leaders, experts in their own experience, and essential contributors to creating better outcomes for themselves and others.
Is there an existing IYS site in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes! Newfoundland and Labrador already has one Integrated Youth Services (IYS) hub in operation.
Becket St. John’s (operational since 2006): operated by Choices for Youth.
Becket Corner Brook (anticipated to open in 2026): operated by Vine Place Community Centre.
Becket St. John’s offers a range of wraparound supports -including mental health services, housing supports, employment programs, and wellness resources -all in one accessible, youth-friendly space.
Building on this foundation, work is now underway to expand the Becket IYS model in Corner Brook, NL..
Additional sites are being planned as part of a provincial network that will eventually support youth in communities across NL.
Is there a cost to access IYS services?
No. All core services offered through IYS hubs are free of charge.
How are youth involved in IYS?
Youth are central to every part of IYS. They help shape programs, advise on design, participate in hiring, and sit on advisory councils. Their voices guide decision-making to make sure services reflect what young people actually need.
Are families and caregivers involved?
Yes -families, caregivers, and natural supports play an important role.
Each hub will include resources and supports for families to better understand and help the young people in their lives.
Who operates IYS in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The IYS initiative in Newfoundland and Labrador is supported by Choices for Youth and NL Health Services, in partnership with community organizations, government departments, and service providers across the province.
How can I get involved or learn more?
To get involved or learn more about Becket, you can:
- Follow Becket on social media for updates
- Facebook & Instagram: @goto.becket
- LinkedIn: @gotobecket
- Sign up for our newsletter [LINK TO SIGN UP]
Contact the Becket team at info.iys@choicesforyouth.ca