Sometimes it doesn't make sense to go charging through the front door when tackling a problem, says Stephen Mead, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Whitehorse.

Some problems can be addressed without going at them head-on, he says, and they can be solved using a side door.

This philosophy has led to the creation of the Side Door program, which will work as an outreach and counselling service for area youth.

Allison Beckman, who has been working as an advocate for Whitehorse youth since she was just 15 years old, is overseeing the pilot project on a nine-month contract.

Side Door will provide services ranging from teaching healthy lifestyles to resume-writing to just giving teenagers someone to go out and have a cup of coffee with.

'If they are not comfortable talking to their friends and family about what's going on, I'm there for them to come and talk to,' says Beckman. 'It doesn't have to be a counselling session, and I want to stress that.

'It's not necessarily a formal counselling program. It could be, but it doesn't have to be. It's really self- and youth-directed.'

The program was launched last week, and young people have already been using the services provided by Beckman, says Mead.

Side Door is purposely taking a very wide stance on what it's able to help youth with, he says, because people need guidance on a whole spectrum of areas in their lives.

Often, young people just need someone to walk beside them, says Mead, to help them deal with the barriers in the way of where they want to go.

The goal of Side Door is not just to provide Whitehorse youth with an advocate, but to develop strong and positive relationships, he says.

Beckman says she'll be using a 'recreation-based' method to connect with the youth using Side Door's services.

The outreach aspect of her duties will allow her to be mobile, and beyond seeking out young people in the downtown area, she'll also be able to meet up with them for lunch or to go with them to the gym or the pool.

'It gives me a good opportunity to connect with that youth; before I start counselling the youth, I'm able to just do something with them,' she says.

'You're doing something fun and engaging, and also at the same time, you can use that to get to know them better, they're getting to know you better.'

'In some cases, her role will be an adult figure to talk to,' says Mead. 'A lot of young people don't have an adult to just talk to about stuff'.'

Beckman agrees. 'Maybe they aren't able to get that help at home, and I'm able to say, Yeah, I can help you.''

The services offered by Side Door are free and conducted in confidence.

Counselling and advice are also able to be offered on more serious concerns such as education, housing, substance abuse and family problems, says Mead.

'We hope that youth will come forward and use these services,' he says, adding that doing so does not come with any stigmas or labels.

In fact, it can just mean a person to act as a sounding board and access to free activities, such as trips to Peak Fitness, and with the launch of Active 8, possibly cooking lessons and movie outings, says Beckman.

A pamphlet outlining Side Door's services will soon be distributed to various community organizations.

As well, Beckman will be visiting local high schools to talk about the program in the coming weeks.

Any person between the ages of 12 and 18 interested in talking to Beckman can either drop into the Boys and Girls Club or call her at 393-2824.