2019 Grantees

Child Witness Centre
Waterloo Region Child and Youth Advocacy Centre
Supporting the Child Witness Centre as the lead agency in the implementation of the Waterloo Region Child and Youth Advocacy Centre service delivery model.

At the Waterloo Region Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC), specially-trained professionals investigate allegations of child abuse in a confidential, comforting, child/youth friendly and trauma-informed environment, and ensure children, youth and their families receive the support services they need.  Investigations can be intimidating and support for these kids has been fragmented.

Child Witness Centre
Core Programming
This grant is for the Child Witness Centre Empowering Youth to Use Their Voice and Be Heard program.  This program supports and empowers 30-50 youth to use their voice, be heard through the justice process and provides them with resources so they can heal.
Community Justice InitiativesEquip: Building Skills for Teens and Caregivers to Thrive Through Conflict
CJI will work alongside teens and caregivers using teen coaching sessions, caregiver coaching sessions and restorative mediation focused on creating concrete plans to support relationship health to build capacity to manage conflict.  The project goal is to assist teens to form positive connections with caregivers, increase their life skills, have a meaningful voice in decision-making and the resilience to navigate stressful situations.

House of Friendship
After School Mentorship program for Vulnerable Youth
The After School Mentorship program provides high-quality programs during the critical after-school time that build skills of vulnerable youth in four at risk neighbourhoods, Chandler Mowat, Kingsdale, Courtland Shelley and Sunnydale, to help them reach their full potential.
KW Counselling
Video Counselling for Youth, including LGBTQ+ Youth
KW Counselling is looking to establish video counselling “stations” within high schools to increase counselling access to youth, including LGBTQ+ youth.  Video counselling is a culturally relevant service mode for the youth of today who report their preference for   online supports.
Kitchener Waterloo Art GalleryIn between Youth Art ProjectThis program is designed to engage local marginalized youth through a series of art-based workshops led by Brooklyn-based Waterloo-born artist, geetha thurairajah.  This will give marginalized youth, who have expressed an interest in exploring social issues through art, the opportunity to do so.

LangsCreating a Youth Wellness HubThis grant helped to establish a youth wellness hub to serve youth ages 15 to 24 in the Cambridge community.  This space is dedicated to bringing together a range of agencies that serve youth.  This welcoming and inclusive youth friendly space provides a range of programs and services for youth focusing on mental health, employment and education.
LutherwoodLife Launch for at-risk youthLutherwood converted two shelter bedrooms into longer term accommodations and launched a new service to prepare at-risk youth for independent living.  This grant allowed Lutherwood to refresh the rooms with paint and other small items.

Reception House
New Canadian Youth Connection Program
This program is to help refugee youth successfully integrate into the community and develop a sense of belonging. The initiative blends the expertise of Reception House Waterloo Region with depth of experience in the settlement sector supporting the most vulnerable newcomer, the governments assisted refugee, and Community Justice Initiatives who have adapted the Stride Circle model for reintegration of different constituents.
Sexual Assault Support CentreMale AlliesThe purpose of the Males Allies program is to encourage male youth in developing a positive self-image, experience healthy relationships and avoid destructive behaviours by interaction with trained male peer-educators and role models in the community.
Start2FinishJunior Coach Leadership Development ProgramThe Junior Coach Leadership program empowers low-income Waterloo youth in their transition years with physical, academic, social and psychological skills to stay in school and graduate.  These youth will mentor younger youth and children.

Woolwich Counselling CentreIn-school One-on-One Counselling
The grant to Woolwich Counselling Centre is for Preventative Mental Health Youth Programs and Services at the Elmira District Secondary High School.

This program provides innovative preventative counselling programs in the Elmira high school.  Elmira youth benefit by developing/learning new skills to improve mental health and overall well-being.
YMCA of Three Rivers
Creating Pathways for Newcomer Youth in Waterloo Region
Newcomer youth in Waterloo Region will receive individual and group support, building connections that will enable them to see their place and value in the community.

The YMCA will support newcomer youth to develop personal connections and relationships with peers and adult roles models through interactions that are thoughtfully designed and facilitated through a variety of group programs including: Newcomer Orientation Week (NOW), Newcomer Theatre program, Conversation Circles, and the YMCA Newcomer Youth program.