PROGRAM OVERVIEW
SERVICE DELIVERY
The Reach Youth Support Program is a Ministry of Children and Youth Services funded program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes. The program mandate is to offer support to Children and youth of the City of Kawartha Lakes. The service is made available to youth that are experiencing some sort of problem or stress in their lives. The program is structured and activity oriented. It is confidential and provided to youth and their families at no cost.
The program meets client’s needs through three distinctly different but often interrelated components. All youth in the Reach Youth Support Program are involved in at least two components depending on whether their needs are best met through individual or group counselling.
The Reach Youth Support Program is designed to be a preventative service. The intention is not therapy but rather a less restrictive intervention. The focus of the program is to aid youth in developing skills to deal with day to day life. This is facilitated through the client/worker relationship. The Reach Youth Support Program sometimes works in conjunction with other agencies to offer a separate dynamic of service to youth presently in therapy or treatment for complex issues.
1. Individual Counselling All youth take part in individual counselling sessions. This is a time made available for the worker and the client to develop a relationship. This affords the youth opportunity to discuss issues of concern with the worker. The worker is then able to suggest and discuss alternatives on how to best manage problems.
2. Group Counselling This component of the program involves group discussions of issues that effect client’s lives to varying degrees. Examples of topics of discussion include: managing peer pressure; conflict resolution; impulse control; music; and hobbies. Such discussions are sometimes planned, while at other times can arise spontaneously. Both individual and group counselling involve goal setting and support to achieve set goals.
3. Social/Recreational Activities Regardless of participation in individual and group counselling modes, the majority of the time is spent with clients in this program component. This includes a wide range of activities such as sports; board games; arts and crafts; and card games. Occasionally the Reach Youth Support Program will access community resources such as: theatres; parks; and museums. From time to time, special projects or events are also incorporated into the body of the program. Presentation of a diverse range of programming aids in maintaining client motivation. The recreational component also provides a forum for identification of areas of struggle for the youth. The program staff can then intervene to teach clients effective methods to cope with these situations. In addition, participation in the Reach Youth Support Program includes free membership to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes. Staff are able to involve clients in any of the Club activities including sports leagues, drama, arts and crafts, computers, summer day camps, before and after school activities and drop-in programs.
Now more than ever... help them move toward their future
BACKGROUND INFORMATION & INTAKE In order to asses how the program can best meet the needs of the youth, the group worker arranges meetings with the legal guardian, referral service and youth. The program is explained in depth. If the guardians believe that the program would benefit the youth, information pertinent to the problem is then gathered from all parties. This information is documented and discussed by the intake team in an effort to determine if or how the program can best support the client.
REFERRALS Referrals can be made by parents/guardians, community agencies or by a youth. The referral source must attain permissions from the parents/guardians to submit a child’s or youth’s name for referral to the Reach program.
REACH
If the intake team concur that the program would benefit the youth, a goal for involvement is proposed. If the guardian and the youth are in agreement with the proposed plan of care, arrangements are made for the client to attend scheduled sessions. The client’s progress is monitored and all involved parties are kept abreast of developments throughout the youth’s involvement in the program.
Our Club Mission Statement To provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.
Supported by 107 Lindsay St.S. Lindsay, ON K9V 2M5 (705) 324-4493 www.bgckl.com
YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAM