Transforming lives, reducing recidivism. Our Attendance Centre provides an alternative to custody, supporting youth who are in conflict with the law. Utilizing evidence based and educational programming, we address underlying issues, promote accountability, and foster positive change. Breaking the cycle of crime, one young person at a time.
Program Details
Following referral and intake, youth attend weekly one-hour appointments with their program facilitator. Together, the youth and facilitator work to choose the appropriate program to meet the needs of the youth, while taking into consideration the goals of the Court or Youth Probation Officer. The Attendance Centre offers a wide range of evidence-based and educational programs on topics including healthy relationships, substance use and abuse, managing strong emotions, understanding errors in thinking, and managing stress & developing coping strategies. The average program is 10-16 sessions and moves at a pace suitable for the youth and their development and engagement.
Life skills development, educational supports, and employment readiness can all be offered as secondary programing to help further goals set out by the youth.
As an Attendance Centre referral is most often a condition of a Youth Probation Order, youth are required to attend and participate to the best of their ability. Non-attendance and/or failure to participate can result in an early departure from the program and possibly a Failure to Comply with Probation Order charge.
Program Goals
- Improve youth accountability and responsibility.
- Address underlying issues – e.g. substance use and mental health
- Develop life skills, education, and employment readiness
- Forster positive relationships with family, peers, and community
- Promote understand of effect on person(s) harmed
- Encourage pro-social behaviours and community engagement
- Reduce substance abuse and additive behaviours
- Improve mental health and well-being
- Increase youth self-awareness and develop coping skills
Youth 12-17 years of age, who have been found guilty of an offence and placed on a Probation Order, or Deferred Custody Order, or Conditional Discharge.
A referral from a Youth Probation Officers is the main pathway to the Attendance Centre program. A Youth Court Justice can also specify participation in Attendance Centre programming during sentencing.
