How Can We Help
We are here to listen and offer you, your child and your family the help and resources you need to get through a very confusing, and difficult time.
We Work With Families
Reliable and nurturing relationships with caregivers are essential for children and youth to do well in the face of significant adversity. At the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, we provide the support and resources that parents and caregivers need to help children and youth build resilience and thrive.
A loving parent or caregiver can help children and youth overcome the feelings of isolation that often accompany abuse. We support families so that they serve as links back to the community where healing can begin.
How We Help
Children and youth who experience abuse are often overwhelmed. Daily stresses become even more stressful. Emotional responses may get more intense.
What We Offer
At the Centre, we can help by offering direct programming, referrals, information, and support services including:
- A friendly and welcoming space aimed at reducing stress and anxiety.
- Direct referral to one-to-one counselling and Play Therapy services at no cost, and without a wait list for children and youth who have come through the investigative process.
- Priority access to special trauma informed programs and services for children including summer Day Camp with low fee / no fee options.
- Unique group support programs for parents and caregivers.
- Connection to community resources and services.
How to Access Our Services
We believe that every child and youth who needs help; gets help. While we work primarily with children and youth who have recently been involved in a FACS or NRPS lead investigation, we are able to offer programs and services to any child or youth who has experienced trauma. This could include victims of abuse, neglect or witness to violence or any child or youth exposed to a variety of adverse childhood experiences.
Referrals to our programs and services can be made by a variety of individuals and organizations including, but not limited to, family members, police, child protection agencies, social service agencies, health care professionals, victim services, shelters, school personnel and other professionals.
To access services for your family directly, contact our Program Coordinator at (905) 937-5435 ext. 7024. Staff are available to answer calls Monday to Friday during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Voice mail messages are answered within two business days.