Since 1967, Laurencrest has been helping young people that are having troubles with life.  We help them to help themselves by optimizing their strengths and self-confidence, leading to their growth as responsible individuals and inclusive members of our community.

Laurencrest Youth Services Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The commitment of our founding “grass roots” group of citizens working to meet the needs of young people of the time has been steadfastly maintained throughout the years with the development of new programs, partnerships and numerous community initiatives. Through our work, Laurencrest has helped thousands of young people in our area and continues to take on this much needed responsibility within our community.

All our programs are premised on the “wellness approach” to service delivery utilizing our client’s strengths in implementing a strategic goal achievement process individually tailored for each young person.

For over 52 years, Laurencrest’s primary role was to provide residential programming that included beds for Open Custody/Detention, Children’s Aid Society, and Children’s Mental Health. In early 2021, the Ontario Government announced the closure of 26 facilities due to pervasive under-utilization. As a result, Laurencrest ceased all residential programming effective March 31, 2021.

However, Laurencrest is still connected. Laurencrest continues to offer all of its community-based programs and maintains many formal and non-formal alliances with other community services.  Our partners include the Upper Canada District School Board, the Children’s Aid Society of SD&G, the Cornwall Community Hospital Children’s Mental Health Services, Équipe psycho-sociale, Cornwall Community Police Services, Ontario Provincial Police, Counselling and Support Services of SD&G, St. Lawrence College, the Crown Attorney’s Office, and many others.

Our primary funders are; the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS); the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services of Ontario (Solicitor General); the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario (MAG); the Ministry of Health (MOH)