The Elgin/St. Thomas Youth Employment Counselling Centre was successful in securing funding to provide a safe place within the Talbot Teen Centre for youth to receive the guidance and referral service they need in a private, secure environment.
Goals:
- The Private Counselling Service will:
- provide professional staff available at certain times, to deal with issues such as bullying, abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drug use, family crises and abuse.
- provide a private counselling office that will function as a secure area for youth to discuss sensitive issues, receiving referrals and guidance from youth centre staff.
- provide a private counselling office that will provide space for community stakeholders such as the Health Unit or Community Policing Service to meet with youth in an atmosphere the youth view as safe and conducive to such meetings.
It is expected that:
- Fewer youth will be involved with the criminal justice system
- More youth will be staying in school
- Improved life skills to deal with issues such as bullying, abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drug use, family crises and abuse
- Better problem-solving through counselling and then moving ahead to solve problems on their own
- Through networking, kids will contact other kids to encourage them to use the program.
