Programs and Clinical Services
Social Recreational Programming
From Life Skills programs that teach cooking and stress management to Caregivers Night Out events filled with games and laughter, there’s something for everyone.
In-School Programming
Since 2014 we have been delivering our Powerhouse™ in Schools Program in partnership with school boards in Niagara and Haldimand Norfolk Regions.
Clinical Services
In our clinical groups we create fun, engaging, and exciting spaces to learn new skills and accomplish goals.
Powerhouse™
Powerhouse™ is an evidence informed program developed to teach Young Caregivers life and personal development skills, provide opportunity to connect with other caregiving kids, bring caregiving families together, and reinforce self-care. Powerhouse™ programs are delivered throughout the Haldimand, Norfolk and Niagara Regions and are geared towards ages 5 to 25 and have supported hundreds of Young Caregivers over the years. All of our Powerhouse™ services aim to build the resilience of Young Caregivers and their families.
Examples of Powerhouse™ Programs:
- summer camp
- weekly respite
- life skills
counselling (group and individual)- teen programs
- young adult programs
Caregivers Night Out
Caregivers Night Out is a great way for Young Caregivers to connect with each other and have some fun! We will have games, arts and crafts, and other activities in order to give each child a weekly break filled with fun and laughter!
Life Skills
Our life skills programs are age appropriate spaces to learn useful and exciting skills! From safe cooking techniques, to stress management and self esteem, these programs provide valuable learning opportunities while growing and connecting with one another!
Recreational 1:1
These special meetings are designed with each child and youth in mind! Spend time taking a break with your favourite Recreation Staff engaging in activities and outings that reflect your unique person!
Family Events
Our family events provide space for parents, children and all family members to work, play and laugh together is a safe environment! Topics for past events have included things such as Family Water Day, Minute to Win It – Family Addition, and more! There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Clinical Programming
Our clinical services are offered in both group and individual settings. In our clinical groups we create fun, engaging, and exciting spaces to learn new skills and accomplish goals! Some of our targeted groups can include how to manage big feelings, self care, self esteem, friendships, healthy relationships, and more! For our support style groups, it creates a space for young caregivers to connect with one another and share their experiences in a welcoming and low-pressure space. Regardless of the type of group, each caregiver is welcome to share as much or as little as they would like in order to have a group experience that feels right for them.
If a Young Caregiver has a specific goal in mind that may not fit in a group environment, they can also access our individual counselling services. Young Caregivers will meet one on one with a Young Caregiver and Family Counsellor, who will work alongside them to create a treatment plan that will include between 4-8 tailored sessions. Sessions can be completed virtually, or in person with our counsellors and can incorporate fun and engaging activities such as art, games, music, and more while also providing age appropriate therapeutic skills and strategies to accomplish their goal.
Some examples of counselling goals could include:
- Learning more about a loved ones diagnosis
- Understanding different emotions and what they look like
- Decreasing anxiety or worry
- Working through anger and frustration in a positive way
- Supporting through the grief and loss process
- And More
*Please note that individual counselling is only available in Ontario
Our Approach
At YCA, it is important to us that each client walks through our doors feeling as comfortable, safe, and included as possible in their wellness journey. In order to do this our clinical services take a collaborative approach where our counsellors work together with young caregivers and their families to build an individualized plan in order to work towards client’s goals. This can include bringing together a variety of counselling strategies and methods including traditional approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural or Solutions Focused Therapy as well as creative approaches such as arts and play based learning. Regardless which approaches we choose as a team, the important thing is keeping our client at the center of all we do. This also means that if we create a plan together, and a client doesn’t feel connected to it, we are always open to shift and change our approaches.
Young caregivers and their parent(s)/guardian(s) will be included in each of these steps, shifts, and check ins. We believe that individuals are the experts of their own experiences, and we are here to listen, adapt and support with your expertise in mind.
“One year ago if you were to tell me that I would be here. Feeling happy, moving forward with my life I wouldn’t have believed you. I am so proud and shocked at how far I have come, and I am really just thankful that you have been with me throughout this process.”
– Young Caregiver Clinical Client
“Your clinical team is great at figuring out the needs of the kids you work with. Your staff is wonderful and I am so thankful for all you do!”
– Parent of a Young Caregiver Clinical Client
“Grief is really hard to deal with, and it feels like it never goes away. But coming to Powerhouse and being able to talk about it with everyone to see that I am not alone.”
– Young Caregiver Clinical Group Participant
Powerhouse™ in Schools
Since 2014 we have been delivering our Powerhouse™ in Schools Program in partnership with school boards in Niagara and Haldimand Norfolk Regions.
A Young Caregiver’s development, including personal, physical, emotional and social, can all be affected by their family’s situation and by their caregiving role. In one study, young carers disclosed that they kept their caregiving role a secret and that their friends did not understand their situations. Many feared rejection and being different from their peers. Given that Young Caregivers tend to spend the majority of their time either at school or at home, the value of establishing awareness and programming within schools is a logical step to accessing this hidden population. In line with research revealing that Young Caregivers are reluctant to take breaks or socialize because they feel they should stay home and help around the house, we are aware that after-school and evening programming means additional time away from the household, which at times is stressful for our Young Caregivers. Taking programming to the schools is viewed as a win-win for all involved; the Young Caregivers receive service without the issues of transportation barriers and time constraints.
Schools play an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of children and youth and are ideally positioned to help identify and support Young Caregivers. Having Powerhouse™ programming delivered in schools helps to reduce feelings of isolation while strengthening caregiving students’ capacity to cope with their life circumstances.
SOCIAL Recreational Programming
Our recreational programs are all about fun, connection, and growth. We offer a variety of group activities, special events, and one-on-one sessions designed to give Young Caregivers a break. From Life Skills programs that teach cooking and stress management to Caregivers Night Out events filled with games and laughter, there’s something for everyone. We also offer family events that provide a space for everyone to connect and play together.
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