In January of 2023, JHSKD proudly brought Connect Youth programming under our umbrella of services. .
Connect Youth has been proudly serving the youth in Leeds & Grenville since 2001 under the mission to assist, support and refer young people and to advocate for youth in partnership with our community. Established in response to the suicide of a young man, Connect Youth was formed with the goal of ensuring that all young people in our community have access to community supports and services. What began as a single staff venture has expanded to a broad spectrum of services offered in collaboration with community stakeholders to provide effective responses to the needs of local young people.
Our services include:
Core Program:
The Core program, which is the longest running program of our agency, provides a safe drop-in space for youth to access social and recreational activities, life skills education, as well as basic needs items such as food, clothing and toiletries. Youth who attend our core program have access to skilled Connect Youth staff members who can assist with bridging the gap between the needs of the youth and available community services. Support is provided by way of providing information about local services, making referrals, and assisting the youth in system navigation and attendance at appointments with transportation and/or accompaniment.
Our Core program has been graciously housed in South Grenville District High School since inception.
Youth Housing:
Connect Youth offers a wide range of services for youth who are currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Leeds & Grenville.
Our agency operates 6 transitional units (9 beds total) for youth ages 16-24 with units located in Prescott, Kemptville and Brockville (3). The units are designed to provide short term stays and intensive case management for youth. Housing support workers assist residents with basic need items, life skills education, referrals to community agencies and assistance with searching for long term housing.
Services are also provided on an outreach basis for youth at risk of homelessness in our community.
If you need support with housing, please reach out to our housing manager at 613.246.2092
Wellness Access for Youth (WAY):
The Mental Health and Addictions Health Hub for Children and Youth in North Grenville, now known as WAY, is a collaborative made up of service providers who provide, refer, and support mental health and addictions services for children and youth aged 12 to 25 years of age in North Grenville. The overall goal of WAY is to increase access to safe, efficient, effective, timely and equitable integrated mental health and addictions services for children, youth and families living in North Grenville.
Connect Youth staff member Dan MacKinnon serves as the WAY Navigator in North Grenville. For more information on this program, please click here
Connect Youth programs are generously funded by:
- United Way of Leeds & Grenville
- United Counties of Leeds & Grenville
- Reaching Home
- Brockville & Area Community Foundation (Community Services Recovery Fund)
- Kemptville District Hospital Foundation
- Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
Referrals from any source, including self-referrals, are welcome and can be made by:
- Call or text to 613.918.0173
- Email: robyn.holmes@jhskd.ca