This program is for 13 to 18 year olds who may have experienced a severe family breakdown, physical or sexual abuse and emotional trauma or who have mental illness. Although participants are referred professionally, it's important to note that they come in to this program on a voluntary basis when they are able to make some changes in their lives.
Delisle's professional staff are expert in helping youth with mental illness or serious emotional or behavioral difficulties. We offer counselling, life skills training and group therapy. We also work closely with referring agencies and with families, especially where youth hope to return home. Residents have individual plans for their care and futures, set their own goals, and review them with their workers once a week. Everyone goes to school, works or volunteers, and everyone works together to share in laundry, cooking, activity planning and other household responsibilities.
Every Wednesday, we bring in guest speakers on topics suggested by the residents - everything from yoga to cooking, searching for a job to the Tenant Protection Act.
The length of each residential stay varies depending on individual circumstances and serves as a stepping stone to returning to the family home or independent living, usually 9-12 months. We often stay connected with youth who return to visit after they have left the home. Every year over 50 ex-residents return "home" for our holiday party.
All residents are referred through the Delisle CARS Program.
For more information, contact the Intake Worker at 416-482-0081.
"Fourteen year old Dionne didn't realize what was happening to her was wrong until her mother's boyfriend threatened to torture her beloved pets if she told anyone "their secret." Dionne's Story