The Ys Young Moms Program

At the Kiwanis Family Centre

Individuals Served
Young parents (mostly moms) up to the age of 29 who have
a child under age 5.
The average age is 23.
Of our clientele, 14% has aboriginal heritage.
36% of the youth have challenges with mental health
36 % of the youth have history with substance use
79% of the youth have history with domestic violence

2014 Statistics

 50% of the youth have a file with MCFD.

29% of the youth have a supervision order from MCFD.
Many of the youth have had MCFD involvement when they
were a child.
Current involvement from MCFD, in many cases, is due to
domestic violence and the resulting safety concerns for the
child rather than concerns with the mothers parenting.
Youth access staff support to address safety concerns and
apply for legal aid to obtain peace bonds and create safe
parenting plans.

Ministry of Children and Family

Development
MCFD provides referrals as well as funding for 2 beds
at the program.

I needed a better, more

supportive living situation
for myself and my
daughter. The staff and
residents are lovely. I feel
safe here & supported.

Goals

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Parenting Goals

Attend community parenting

programs.

Increase knowledge of ages and

stages and child development.

Enroll child in daycare or preschool.

Learn about childhood nutritional

needs.

Learn positive parenting skills.

Learn about attachment based

parenting.

Learn about age appropriate play.

Learn to develop routines.

Connect to public health resources.

Independent Living Goals

Successfully working with MCFD on return plans, supervision orders, and

expectations in family safety plans.

Securing stable income.

Budgeting skill development.

Apply for Disability or Income Assistance.

Replace identification for self and child.

Apply for CCTB.

Learn how to maintain a safe and tidy home.

Learn how to do taxes.

Develop time management skills.

Access supports and resources.

Increase self-advocacy skills.

Education and Employment Goals

Upgrade education to enter

vocational programs.

Vocational exploration.

Complete high school.

Complete employability
training programs such as
Bridges and GT Hiring.

Develop a resume and apply

for part-time work.

Research funding sources for

school.

Apply for student loans.

Healthy Living Goals

Increase self-esteem.

Learn to create healthy

boundaries and healthy
relationships.

Increase sense of
stability.

Have drug and alcohol

recovery support.

Address depression and

other mental health
challenges such as eating
disorders, anxiety, FASD,
post traumatic stress
disorder, NAS, family of
origin issues, and chronic
health challenges.

Multiple barriers to success and goal

attainment continue to be mental
health challenges; in particular lack
of services for counseling related to
significant trauma, poverty, and
social isolation for the majority of the
youth.

How do we help achieve these goals?

Drop-in Programming.
Registered meals and courses.
Mother Goose- early literacy and
attachment support.
24/7 Access to support staff.

One-on-one weekly counselling.

Housing for 8 moms and babes

(below market value rent).

Groups.

Referrals.

Positive Parenting Support.

Emergency supplies: Food &

Diapers.

Financial Literacy Workshops.

Healthy Boundaries Workshops.

Food Skills Workshops.

Resource counselling & library.

And more

Ive learned how to be

more independent, how
to be more productive,
and how to help my
daughter grow.

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Food Skills Course

A 6 week course offered to families through the Canadian Diabetes
Association. This course teaches families the importance of healthy living
along with food preparation skills. Child care and bus tickets are offered to
families accessing this program.

Thank- you to
Colliers for
donating a
brand new
kitchen where
we can run this
program.

Positive Parenting Support

One-on-one counselling and

education using Triple P practices.

Nobodys Perfect parenting group.

Positive role modeling.

Mother Goose: early literacy

development and attachment
parenting support.

GRACE Support Group

Thursday morning drop-in

Every Thursday morning, residents and community families access the
Thursday Morning Drop-in. It provides breakfast, therapeutic art activities,
opportunities to connect with other families, access to the free store, resource
counselling, and support to families who need help getting their needs met.

A public health nurse and a dental hygienist each visit the drop-in once a
month.

Our Playroom

During all registered programming we provide childcare free of charge.

For other group programming we open up our playroom for children to
enjoy with their parent and other children. The sensory table, kitchen,
and piano are some of the favourite playroom toys!

The Free Store

In our basement, we have a free store full of gently
used clothing, toys, and household items. These items
are generously donated by those who access our
programming, community members, and Red Rover
Kids Consignment shop.

How you can support the program

$60 buys the groceries for the weekly drop-in.

$1200 pays for the costs of the Food Skills for

Families Program: Ingredients, child care, bus
tickets.

$70 buys a wooden block set.

$200 buys an outdoor playhouse.

$40 buys the supplies to do therapeutic art

activities.

Gift certificate donations helps us purchase

program supplies, help during emergency
situations, and put on special events like a Pizza
night.

Sponsor a Young Moms Program runner or walker

in the Goodlife Fitness Marathon Charity Pledge
Program.

Community Partnerships ex. Caf Fantastico

provides the programs coffee free of charge.

Thank you for your continuing

Mustard Seed Food support.
Bank & Street Church
Caf Fantastico
Victoria Womens Transition House
Trail Appliances
Colliers International
Lush
Payless Shoe Source
Red Rover Kids Consignment
Fairways Market

Success

This program is great, made me a better single parent:

lots of support and different discussions.
Came for support, to be a good mother while learning
about myself. Ive learned parenting skills, routine,
organization, and budgeting. This program is very helpful,
and I would live here longer than the timeline, if I could.