What makes our program different, but successful is that we use Youth Peer Mentors with lived experience to work with ALL youth around Hastings County to help them see the potential in themselves to continue their education using a trauma informed lens. Our Peer Mentors grow up in very similar circumstances that many of the youth we work with experience personally, which allows them to work with the youth in a more personalized way. From there, Peer Mentors can also become a bridge to community resources available for youth using a plan they determine, through coaching, to overall support their transition and overcome barriers that impact their ability to succeed.
If you would like to contact our Peer Mentors, you can call our office and ask for a Youth Peer Mentor – 613-968-6628
Current YPMs
Madyson Graham
Shawn Brown
Brittany McIntyre
Jessalyn MacDonald
Train the Trainer Program: We believe every youth has the potential to be a future Peer Mentor after they move on from our program, which is why we have decided to implement a “Train the Trainer” addition to our program. If a youth we are working with expresses interest in wanting to know more, we can help them build a portfolio designed for aspiring Peer Mentors. Every portfolio can be custom made by the youth, with help from the Peer Mentor acting as an advisor for the construction of their portfolio. Youth can also include anyone who is close to them to act as an advisor to support them, and our Community Partners can help connect youth with resources to build their educational credentials (or a PHD in Life as we like to call it!!)