New program at Regesh family services teaches youth new skills based on emotions
The cognitive approach to crime prevention deals with youths' emotions as a centrepiece for change while teaching new skills.
The basis of the program is to enrich self-esteem and then teach specific skills around anger management, conflict resolution and decision making.
"We thought, what can we do to help youth who are struggling with the law?" said Ed Schild, executive director of Regesh Family and Child Services.
Schild founded Regesh in 1983 in Calgary, Alberta, as a receiving, assessment and treatment home for teens with emotional problems.
In the summer of 1986, Regesh moved its home office to 149 Willowdale Ave. with the opening of a staff-modeled residential treatment group home for troubled pre-teens. In 1987, the Alberta branch was closed as the Ontario programs continued to grow. By 1987, a second pre-adolescent long-term residential staff-modeled group home was opened followed by a third in 1989.
Regesh has seen several changes over the years, most notably the closure of the group home in 2004 due to lack of funding, Schild said.
Now Regesh focuses predominantly on non-residential counselling, professional consultation and family support programs.
The organization does offer residential housing for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 at Chezi's Corner in Thornhill, Schild added.
Regesh also offers the Personal Control Management and Sustainability Program, which is based on the theory the development and sustainability of good personal control is directly related to the client's sense of self, specifically self-esteem.
"You don't have to get rid of anger, you just have to learn how to control it," Schild said, adding the program costs $15 per session.
Counselling is also available through the Family Support program to help parents and children understand and solve the social, emotional and behavioural problems that are affecting their ability to function well at home, school and in the community.
"There are two huge barriers to services - money and waiting lists," Schild said. "People who need help the most are often the ones who can't afford it. We can see clients within two weeks."
And through fundraisers and corporate donations, most of the services Regesh offers are free, Schild said.
"A lot of these kids are so needy," he said. "They need nurturing."
