Basic Principles

We believe young people with healthy self-concepts are better able to enjoy life. Experiencing success in their day to day living enhances a person’s self-worth. Our focus on normal growth and development promotes wellness over pathology. Our aim is to help adolescents help themselves!

We believe the primary consideration in providing care is the relationship between the youth and those adults involved in their daily living. Caregivers have to be skilled, highly motivated, empowered and supported to meet our aim. Time is needed to develop caring relationships that include trust, attachment, compassion, empathy and security.

Client Profile

Despite the constant shifting of labels and definitions over the years, our clients continue to be troubled young people between the ages of 12 and 18. All our community-based outreach programs are co-ed.

Research has succeeded in determining risk factors and identifying client needs. Although the presenting problems of clients have remained steadfast, the degree of impairment and complexity of needs have dramatically increased. Today’s troubled young people have more problems and are more disturbed by them.

Generally, our clients are experiencing difficulties in some or all of the following areas:

Behaviour Problems

• Criminal activities
• Aggressive and/or assaultive
• Resistant and/or defiant
• Out of control/unmanageable

Emotional Distress

• Worried, scared and/or depressed
• Personality and/or social disorders
• Family issues
• Attachment concerns

Clinical Needs

• Learning disabilities
• Hyperactivity
• Drug and alcohol dependencies
• Suicidal tendencies
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder

Goals & Objectives

Goals for our clients are:

• To stabilize
• To habilitate
• To assume responsibility for oneself
• To promote independence
• To enhance self-worth

Objectives for our clients are:

• To improve relationship with adults and peers
• To achieve greater understanding of themselves and the world around hem
• To use their talents consciously to attain socially acceptable goals
• To form wholesome attitudes and habits of living
• To avail themselves of education and training consistent with their interests and aptitudes
• To acquire skills and experience enabling them to participate in satisfying and beneficial leisure time activities
• To acquire and develop life skills
• To reduce personal, family and social problems