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What's New
CTYS welcomes 4 new Board Members
Posted on: May 16, 2013
From left to right…
Tom Delisle, CMA MBA, brings 30 years experience as an accountant, and has stepped into the role of Board Treasurer.
Franky Chernin has been an educator and learning coach in the public and post secondary sectors for over 30 years. She is the Student Academic Success Coordinator at George Brown College.
Roger Mayers has been a member of the Toronto Police for over 20 years, and is currently the Toronto Police Services’ trainer and coordinator of School Based Threat Assessment Training.
Sheila Masters, MSW RSW, brings a wealth of experience from a career in the public sector: health & social services.
May 5 - 11, 2013: Children's Mental Health Week 2013
Posted on: May 1, 2013
Source: Children’s Mental Health Ontario
In Ontario, 1 in 5 children and youth has a mental health problem - that's about 500,000 kids. Disorders range from anxiety, depression and conduct disorder to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and bi-polar disorder. Left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide.
The good news is that help is available and treatment works.
Each year, Ontarians mark the first full week of May as Children's Mental Health Week. This important week is about:
- increasing awareness of the signs of child and youth mental health problems
- decreasing stigma, and
- understanding that help is available and it works!
Every part of Ontario is served by an accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre: government funded agencies that work with children & youth, offering professional mental health services at no charge.
Click here to find the centre near you
Join CTYS on Twitter as we support Children’s Mental Health Week #MHW2013
New Minister: MCYS
Posted on: May 1, 2013
Central Toronto Youth Services joins with the children’s mental health sector in welcoming the honorable Teresa Piruzza as new minister, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Government of Ontario.
Read more about Minister Piruzza.
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/about/minister.aspx
Rock Your Soul Event - Friday May 24, 7pm Berkley Church
Posted on: April 9, 2013
For more information, ticket sales, or donations please contact:
Alison Tullis 647-233-4348 or Chad Williams 416-722-4653
Toronto, ON April 22, 2013 — The Zilis from Hamilton will join The Franklin Electric from Montreal, and The Honeyrunners & The Pick Brothers Band from Toronto for the first annual “Rock Your Soul” benefit concert to be held on Friday, May 24 at the famous Berkeley Church in Toronto.
The theme of the concert is “Teenage Mental Health” and all net proceeds of the concert will go to the Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) Centre. CTYS is a community-based, accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre located in downtown Toronto. Since 1973, CTYS has been at the forefront of serving at-risk youth. They are a community-based, accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre. For more information please visit: www.ctys.org
The Zilis is a great up-and-coming trio of talented musicians that rock with a catchy blues vibe. Their songs glow like a New Orleans summer sunset. This band is not to be missed!
The Franklin Electric is vocal oriented, well-versed in a variety of rock-folk genres, and inspired by ambient guitar textures and brass. They have recently opened for Bran Van 3000, and were a first place winner of the Unsigned Only Music Competition in Nashville.
The Honeyrunners are heavy on bona fide soul and deliver a show that packs a serious punch. Their debut 2013 single, Jet Set, is currently featured on Bacardi's international playlist for Rafael Nadal's Champions Party 2013. The Honeyrunners are launching their first EP on May 4, 2013.
The Pick Brothers Band is trio of brothers that combine probing lyrics with layers of high energy. The Pick Brothers Band delivers an eclectic, uncompromising, and intimate blend of substance and style.
Join us for a fantastic night of live music and fun to raise funds and awareness for a great cause.
Details
Date : Friday, May 24, 2013
Where : The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen Street East, Toronto
Time : Doors open 7 pm; concert starts at 8 pm
Cost : $20 ticket sales in advance, $25 at the door
For more information, ticket sales, or donations please contact:
Alison Tullis 647-233-4348 or Chad Williams 416-722-4653
Alison Tullis 647-233-4348 or Chad Williams 416-722-4653
“Rock Your Soul” 2013 Welcomes The Zilis!
Toronto, ON April 22, 2013 — The Zilis from Hamilton will join The Franklin Electric from Montreal, and The Honeyrunners & The Pick Brothers Band from Toronto for the first annual “Rock Your Soul” benefit concert to be held on Friday, May 24 at the famous Berkeley Church in Toronto.
The theme of the concert is “Teenage Mental Health” and all net proceeds of the concert will go to the Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) Centre. CTYS is a community-based, accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre located in downtown Toronto. Since 1973, CTYS has been at the forefront of serving at-risk youth. They are a community-based, accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre. For more information please visit: www.ctys.org
The Zilis is a great up-and-coming trio of talented musicians that rock with a catchy blues vibe. Their songs glow like a New Orleans summer sunset. This band is not to be missed!
The Franklin Electric is vocal oriented, well-versed in a variety of rock-folk genres, and inspired by ambient guitar textures and brass. They have recently opened for Bran Van 3000, and were a first place winner of the Unsigned Only Music Competition in Nashville.
The Honeyrunners are heavy on bona fide soul and deliver a show that packs a serious punch. Their debut 2013 single, Jet Set, is currently featured on Bacardi's international playlist for Rafael Nadal's Champions Party 2013. The Honeyrunners are launching their first EP on May 4, 2013.
The Pick Brothers Band is trio of brothers that combine probing lyrics with layers of high energy. The Pick Brothers Band delivers an eclectic, uncompromising, and intimate blend of substance and style.
Join us for a fantastic night of live music and fun to raise funds and awareness for a great cause.
Details
Date : Friday, May 24, 2013
Where : The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen Street East, Toronto
Time : Doors open 7 pm; concert starts at 8 pm
Cost : $20 ticket sales in advance, $25 at the door
For more information, ticket sales, or donations please contact:
Alison Tullis 647-233-4348 or Chad Williams 416-722-4653
CTYS Celebrates Black History
February 21, 2013
Posted on: February 26, 2013
The month of February marks the annual celebration of Black History in Canada. On Thursday February 21, CTYS welcomed clients, staff, Board members and their families and friends to join a celebration of African Canadian culture. The achievements of many African Canadians were recognized, and staff shared homemade cuisine and art. Memorable performances were delivered by Lance, a spoken work poet from RISE Poetry, and musicians Patrick & Brianna.
A special thank you to the staff members who made up the organizing committee, and to all those who attended.
RISE Poetry
A special thank you to the staff members who made up the organizing committee, and to all those who attended.
RISE Poetry
French Language Services for Youth
Posted on: February 4, 2013
Central Toronto Youth Services supports the innovative partnership between The Hincks-Dellcrest Centre and Centre francophone de Toronto , a non-profit organization providing services to the French-language speaking population of Toronto. Centre francophone de Toronto provides mental health services for francophone children and teens aged 7 to 18. Services are offered at Centre francophone de Toronto, located at 22 College Street.
For more information, visit http://www.centrefranco.org/ or call (416) 922-2672, ext. 290.
Espace Jeunesse was developed through funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
Access 1: New Referral Process
Posted on: December 25, 2012
Note: The only CTYS program impacted by Access 1 is New Outlook: Community Support Program.
What is Access1? Access 1 is a partnership between several individual support service providers in the City of Toronto. It’s function is to coordinate access to our community based mental health individual support services for individuals who live in the city and who require intensive case management in connection with their mental health.
You are eligible for Access 1 if you:
- are 16 years of age and older,
- have serious mental health problems, and
- live in Toronto
TRANSCEND: New Group Starting in January
Posted on: December 20, 2012
Click to Learn More...
'Welcome to CTYS' on YouTube
Posted on: November 28, 2012
Click to watch ‘Welcome to CTYS,’ an introductory video to our agency.
Check out our YouTube Channel: CTYStube
CTYS awarded $14,000 Toronto Arts Council grant
Posted on: November 21, 2012
The Toronto Arts Council has granted Central Toronto Youth Services $14,000 for the new group Transcend. The group is for Trans and Queer youth to explore gender and identity through an artistic process.
Led by LeeAndra Miller, Transcend will run once a week from January 2013 to June 2013, culminating in a public showcase of the group’s artistic endeavors.
Ministry of Child & Youth Services Announcement
Posted on: November 4, 2012
On Friday November 2, Former Minister of Children and Youth Services, Dr. Eric Hoskins, visited Central Toronto Youth Services for a media conference highlighting Ontario’s investment in children’s mental health.
The following excerpt is from an Ontario government press release:
Ontario is supporting 600 new mental health workers across the province who are helping children, young people and their families get quicker and easier access to the right mental health services and supports in schools, communities and courts.
These new workers include:
- 144 nurses working directly in schools to support the early identification and treatment of students with potential mental health and/or addiction issues.
- 260 new workers in community mental health agencies to provide kids access to services closer to home.
- 21 new workers in the court system to keep youth out of the justice system and refer them instead to community-based services.
- 175 additional new workers in schools, who will provide kids support to address their mental health needs.
Ontario also is enhancing supports to prevent youth suicide with a focus on early intervention and peer-to-peer support.
“Our mental health strategy has led to an unprecedented investment in mental health services for young people and their families,” said Dr. Eric Hoskins, Former Minister of Children and Youth Services. “These 600 new mental health workers are already helping more than 20,000 kids get quicker and easier access to the services that will help them succeed. We are also enhancing our focus on preventing youth suicide by supporting early intervention and peer-to-peer support.”
Heather Sproule, Executive Director at CTYS explains “The significance of the Ontario government’s investment in children’s mental health is not just monetary. Most important, the investment recognizes the critical relationship between positive mental health and healthy relationships, success in school, at work and within the community. It also underscores the effectiveness of programs and services in making life better for kids.”
QUICK FACTS
- Approximately one in five Ontario children and young people have a mental health challenge, and 70 per cent of mental health challenges begin in childhood or adolescence.
- An estimated 20,000 more kids and their families are benefitting from the support and services provided by these new mental health workers.
- Over 50,000 kids and their families will benefit from Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
LEARN MORE
Find out how Ontario is helping children and youth with mental health challenges succeed.
Read Open Minds, Healthy Minds: Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
CTYS launches Strategic Plan 2012 – 2017
Posted on: October 24, 2012
Click to download a 2 page summary of our plan.
For a more detailed version, please contact sara.gaudon@ctys.org
CTYS Launches Twitter
Posted on: October 14, 2012
As part of Central Toronto Youth Services’ initiatives to better engage local youth, we have launched a Twitter feed. You can follow us @CTYS_Youth. Through Twitter, we aim to raise awareness about our agency, including programs, groups, news, and events. Our Twitter feed will also include information related to mental health and wellness. Follow Us!
Supporting Security Group starting soon
Posted on: August 22, 2012
Supporting Security is a free 12 week group offered to young mothers 15-18 years old and their babies 2-12 months. The group will promote safety and security for the baby. Provide knowledge about child development, discuss self-care, and help parents develop ways to manage stress effectively.
Participants will become more responsive to their baby’s signals and will develop an increased self-confidence in caring for their child.Babies will feel more secure and more easily soothed. Activities include relaxation techniques, baby songs and rhymes, guided discussions on anxiety, anger, and problem solving when baby is in distress.
Food is provided at each session, a weekly gift card draw, financial incentives for just coming to the group, and TTC tokens as needed.
This FREE group will start toward the end of September/October
For more information or to sign up contact Jessica at 416-924-2100 x245, or e-mail jessica.arruda@ctys.org
BoyZone STARTING SOON
Posted on: August 21, 2012
BoyZone is a free 12 week social skills group offered to young men 12-17 years old who experience difficulties that prevent them from forming healthy relationships. Difficulties may include starting conversations, speaking up in front of others, making and sustaining friendships, and interacting appropriately with others.
Participants will learn how to resolve conflict, manage stress,increase knowledge and awareness of social interactions with others and learn how to deal with peer pressure. Activities include use of media with guided discussions, role playing, working in groups within the group, and jeopardy game.
Food is provided at each session, and TTC tokens as needed.
This FREE group will start toward the end of September/October.
For more information or to sign up contact Jessica at 416-924-2100 x245, or e-mail jessica.arruda@ctys.org
BOYOBOY Collective Announces Workshop Series ‘Gays in the Media’
Posted on: August 15, 2012
CTYS’ BOYOBOY Collective (BOBC) is an alternative arts & culture workshop series for younger gay, bi, or queer guys.
This free drop-in group is offered every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 7pm-9pm, at Central Toronto Youth Services.
Through discussion and interactive activities, explore themes of identity, sex, love, relationships and gender through the lens of history, culture, arts and media. Educational and always entertaining, BOYOBOY especially hopes to break stereotypes and clichés about what it means to be gay. Drop-in (bring a friend) and check us out!
This season BOBC is focusing on Gays in the Media:
Aug 28: “Gays on Television.” How has television represented gays? How have stereotypes changed over the years? What impact does this have on homophobia and our own self-image?
Sept 11: "Gays in Commercials." How have gays been portrayed in advertisements & commercials? How have stereotypes changed over the years? What impact does this have on homophobia and our own self-image?
Sept 25: "Gays in Comic Books, SF & Fantasy." From gay superheroes & wizards to video game characters & furries ~ come explore and discuss how gays are being portrayed in SF & fantasy!
Oct 9: "Gays & Social Media." Come explore and discuss the pros and cons of how social media -Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Grindr, blogs and other social networking sites- are shifting gay identity, relationships and community.
Oct 23: Film Screening: “The Celluloid Closet.” An award-winning documentary tracing the history of LGBTQ cinema.
Contact David.Yeh@ctys.org for more information.
FOLLOW BOBC on Facebook
RITES for African-Canadian youth
Posted on: July 20, 2012
After a successful pilot project that ended in the spring, Central Toronto Youth Services is beginning another series of RITES, a weekly program for African-Canadian youth between the ages of 14-18.
RITES is the acronym for Resiliency, Identity, Transformation, Empowerment and Self-determination. This intervention aims to promote positive social development, strengthen racial identity and build on existing resiliency factors through weekly group sessions and individual counselling. This process will create an opportunity for healing, self-awareness and transformation.
Goals for Participants:
Educate yourself on issues that impact your health & wellbeing
Positively impact your community
Learn to reduce stress
Use digital media to showcase your creativity
Challenge stereotypes
HAVE FUN
To sign up for this free group, contact Maxine.brown@ctys.org or call 416-924-2100 x246.
The group will be held weekly (dates to be determined) at Central Toronto Youth Services, 65 Wellesley Street E, Toronto ON.
Families in TRANSition Guide: PDF now online
Posted on: July 17, 2012
In 2008, CTYS released ‘Families in TRANSition,’ the first comprehensive Canadian publication to address the needs of parents and families supporting their trans children. This comprehensive guide summarizes the experiences, strategies, and successes of a working group of community consultants – researchers, counsellors, community leaders, parents, as well as trans youth themselves.
This guide was written and published by CTYS (Central Toronto Youth Services) with the support and collaboration of many community members and organizations, especially P-FLAG Toronto (ParentsFamily and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Transceptance (a Toronto support group for parents of trans youth).
Click to access PDF version of ‘Families in TRANSition’
CTYS Responds to Youth Justice Funding Cut Announcement
Posted on: July 5,2012
Excerpt from the Toronto Stay, July 3
Last week, when Justice Minister Rob Nicholson announced “continued support” for the federal Youth Justice Services Funding Program at $141.7 million annually, he did not mention that number represents a 20-per-cent cut from previous years.
Advocates and experts are struggling to understand the rationale behind the cuts.
“An investment in young people who are at the front end of a ‘potential criminal career,’ is just so important and so much more cost-effective than the costs associated with people further on down that line,” said Heather Sproule, executive director at Central Toronto Youth Services. “This does seem to have come out of the blue.
Click to view the complete article
GirlZone : Starting Soon
Posted on: June 7, 2012
GirlZone is a free 12 week social skills group offered to young women 14-18 years old who experience difficulties that prevent them from forming healthy relationships. Difficulties may include starting conversations, speaking up in front of others, making and sustaining friendships, and interacting appropriately with others.
Attendees will learn how to communicate effectively, resolve conflict, manage stress, build and maintain healthy relationships with emotional awareness, and learn to deal with peer pressure. Activities include role playing, journaling, relaxation techniques and guided discussions .
Food is provided at each session, and TTC tokens as needed.
This FREE group will start toward the end of June.
For more information or to sign up contact Jessica at 416-924-2100 x245, or e-mail jessica.arruda@ctys.org
“Wake Up,” new CTYS documentary now available on DVD
Posted on: May 30, 2012
This 55 minute documentary follows a group of LGBTQ youth as they conceive, write and perform the play “Wake,” a part of CTYS' Pride & Prejudice/Gender Play program in 2009.
With guidance from theatre professionals and expressive arts therapists, youth combine humour and courage to present the complex issues, challenges and stark reality encountered by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender intersex, two-spirit, queer and questioning youth.
Wake Up is intended for all those who want to know more about gender identity and the experiences of youth who do not conform to stereotypical gender norms. It’s the centrepiece of a multi-tiered community arts project that will provide techniques, teaching tools and a best practice model for schools, community centres, service providers and others working with LGBTQ youth.
Copies of the DVD are available for purchase, $20 CDN + delivery.
Payment (cheque) can be mailed to:
Wake Up DVD
c/o Central Toronto Youth Services
65 Wellesley Street East, Suite 300
Toronto ON M4Y
Please e-mail mail@ctys.org to place your order.
Ontario increases investment in children’s mental health
Posted on: May 16, 2012
Through new mental health funding from the Ministry of Child and Youth Services, CTYS will expand its capacity to serve young people through the addition of five new positions this year. This funding will enable us to strengthen services to youth in schools, youth involved in our Youth Justice Program, and our waitlist management. As waitlists grow and the needs of our clients become more complex, we are grateful to MCYS and the Government of Ontario for this important opportunity.We look forward to expanding and strengthening our team through new staffing.
Strengthening our connections to youth
Posted on: May 16, 2012
Early in 2012, we invited interested staff to form a committee and develop a social media strategy that would help our agency keep pace and strengthen our communication with young people. The committee, also in consultation with clients, has brought forward a number of recommendations we will implement over the next several months. They include: an active Facebook fanpage, a You Tube channel and a new “ Welcome to CTYS” video.
Improving mental health outcomes for young people
Posted on: May 15, 2012
Ontario Centre of Excellence awards CTYS new funding over three years to improve mental health outcomes through school-based services. Through its new PACE initiative (People Advancing Change through Evidence), CTYS will work in partnership with the Centre, the Toronto District School Board, and local schools to create more evidence informed programs, further our commitment to innovation, and deliver even more powerful outcomes for our youth. Funding will provide education, training, research and infrastructure. We are excited about this new opportunity and thank the Centre for their confidence and support.