What happens at the Halton Hills Youth Centres?
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We are committed to providing an active, social and educational environment for youth in our community. Youth ages 12 – 24 years can drop in for daily recreation activities and wrap-around services* provided by various partner agencies. Youth can come and go to each location freely without barriers to entry and no cost to take part.
*The concept of wrap-around service is used to describe any program that is flexible, family or person-oriented and comprehensive – that is, several organizations work together to provide a holistic program of supports.
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Where are the Halton Hills Youth Centres?
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Georgetown Youth Centre is located at 96 Guelph Street in Georgetown, inside the Gary Allan High School
Acton Youth Centre is located at 19 Willow Street North in Acton, located on the north side of the Acton Town Hall building.
Both Youth Centres are open Monday-Friday from 3:00-7:30 p.m. from September to June and from 1:30-6:00 p.m. for July and August.
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Who runs the Halton Hills Youth Centres?
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The Halton Hills Youth Centres are run by the Town of Halton Hills’ Recreation & Parks department. The Recreation Coordinator of Youth oversees the daily operation of the Youth Centres. Both Centres are staffed by trained Town of Halton Hills program instructors. Partner agencies like Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), ADAPT, Bridging the Gap, and CMHA, provide social services on site.
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What ages does the Halton Hills Youth Centre serve?
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Halton Hills Youth Centres serve youth ages 12-24 years old.
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How do you support such a large age span?
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Drop-in recreational activities are chosen based on input from youth who use the Centres. Our programming targets all interests while our wrap around services targets the entire age range. Research shows that transitional aged youth, ages 18-24, are at higher risk. We support this vulnerable population through relationship building, onsite supports in our own community and curating programs and services that assist transitional aged youth. Staff reinforce positive interactions and relationships, as well as using the space for its intended purpose.
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What is the Town doing to support youth in our Town?
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In addition to the Halton Hills Youth Centres, we offer other free to low-cost recreation programs like free youth skates and swims, drop in skating, and leadership programs. These programs offer youth a chance to socialise and exercise in a healthy, positive environment.
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What is the Halton Hills Youth Network?
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Town Recreation staff chairs the Halton Hills Youth Services Network. The purpose of the network is to ensure that there are services in place for local youth by working with all local agencies to identify any service gaps and enhance the level of service. The Youth Network meets quarterly. Objectives of the Youth Network include:
- Work towards a common agenda for strategically and sustainably meeting the needs of Youth (aged 12 - 24 yrs.) in Halton Hills.
- To provide leadership within the community to support the broad range of youth services.
- To provide an infrastructure and mechanism for bringing individuals, groups and agencies together to support a strong youth network across Halton Hills.
- Provide a forum for youth, parents, youth serving agencies, municipal representatives and other stakeholders to network, build relationships and identify gaps and opportunities for youth services in Halton Hills.
- Identify priority areas of focus as referenced in the Youth Needs Study include:
- Identify, advocate and find solutions to matters that have an impact on Halton Hills youth.
- Work towards effectively communicating and building awareness of services, activities, events and opportunities for involvement through youth friendly correspondence.
- Maintains linkages to other youth planning tables and networks that share intersecting points of interest, service priorities and existing work programs specifically related to youth.
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What if a youth needs help?
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We work in partnership with social service agencies like Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), ADAPT, CHMA, Bridging the Gap, employment services, food supports, and Halton Regional Police, to provide onsite assistance to youth.
Aligning with the priorities of the Youth Service Delivery Model, youth can participate and engage in the following at the centres:
- Recreation and socialization opportunities including physical fitness and active living.
- Food security
- On-site mental health and addictions supports and obtain referral services to which they may otherwise not have access.
- Increased life skills through participation in workshops from partner agencies
- Service navigation.
- Youth leadership and community involvement
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Why is a recreation facility supporting mental health?
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We follow the provincial Youth Wellness Hubs of Ontario model, which incorporates best practice for youth services. Supported through the Ontario Ministry of Health, Youth Wellness Hubs of Ontario is an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) initiative designed to address the service gaps in the youth mental health and substance use sectors in Ontario. The Halton Hills Youth Centres collaborate with local youth servicing agencies to provide local youth with one stop access to a full range of integrated services that support their individual needs, including mental health and substance use supports, primary care, education, employment, housing, and other social services in one youth-friendly space.
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What happens if I am concerned with something related to the Youth Centre?
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Any concerns related to the Halton Hills Youth Centres can be directed to the Recreation Coordinator of Youth or call 905-873-2600 ext.2285
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How can youth get involved?
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The Halton Hills Youth Centres host a Youth Advisory Committee at the Georgetown and Acton Youth Centre. The Halton Hills Youth Advisory Committee is a catalyst to meaningfully engage youth in the planning, execution, and evaluation of services. Youth meet at the Halton Hills Youth Centres to discuss, advise, recommend and advocate on behalf of local youth for services, new initiatives, and to guide the work of the Youth Centres and Youth Network.
If youth are looking for volunteer hours, visit our volunteer webpage for more information.
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What if I would like to see the Youth Centre before allowing my child to attend?
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Tours are available of both Youth Centre locations. Please reach out to our Recreation Coordinator of Youth to set up a tour of the space or call 905-873-2600 ext.2285
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Where can I find more information about services for youth?
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Visit our website at www.haltonhills.ca/youth or follow us on Instagram or X @_HHYouth .
For other inquiries please contact the Town Youth Coordinator or call 905-873-2600 ext. 2285
Anyone needing help to access services like mental health support, counselling or housing can contact the following resources:
- ROCK (Reach our Centre for Kids) Crisis Line: 905-878-9785
- One Stop Talk Mental Health Supports: https://onestoptalk.ca/ 1-855-419-8255
- Bridging the Gap 1-877-425-8661
- COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) 1-877-825-9011 (24/7) - ages 16+
- The Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868
- Region of Halton: by calling 311, downloading the OneHalton mobile app, or accessing the Region’s website www.halton.ca and searching the Parents, Youth & Seniors section.
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