Their day programs include;

• education outreach,
• fitness and nutrition,
• woodworking and
• other life skills programs.

After-school programs include;

• Art’s Night,
• pottery,
• teen parent and child nights,
• and sports nights for young men and for young women.

Anger management, drug awareness and self-esteem programs are also offered through YAC.

In order for a young person to attend a YAC program, a completed referral application must be submitted.

For children under 12, the YAC currently offers the SNAP® Girls Connection

(GC) program for girls aged six to 11 years who are having difficulties at home or at school.

SNAP® stands for STOP NOW AND PLAN, a cognitive-behavioural strategy designed to help children and parents regulate difficult feelings such as anger by getting them to stop, think and plan positive alternatives before they act impulsively.

The program typically runs 12 weeks. Meals are provided for participants, along with sibling care and transportation if required.

Facilitators meet separately with girls and parents at the same time. The girls learn skills through dialogue and fun role plays, and discuss things like communcation, bullying and friendships, and how to make their problems smaller, not bigger. Parents also learn about communication and effective directions. As well as group work, individual support is also provided.

Testimonial from past participants:

Youth, aged 10

"I joined SNAP because I thought it would be fun and that it could change me a little. I didn't think it could change me a lot but now I feel like it's changed me a lot.  Lots of people are recognizing that I've changed. I used to get in lots of fights at school and with my mom but now that I use SNAP, I haven't gotten in a fight in a long time. Sometimes I remind my mom to use SNAP."

Parent

"I have seen major improvements in all aspects of my daughter's life. She is able to reason and rationalize her decisions and behaviours. This is something she had difficulties doing before the SNAP group."

"Gee, I didn't realize that it was me who had to change how I was tlaking to my daughter. Since the group I now use a calm voice with her. I don't yell and she listens better."

If you are interested in learning more about the SNAP® program, please call the YAC at 867-667-3759. For more information, go to www.stopnowandplan.com.