The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce’s Anti-Human Trafficking Program for Youth is moving to a new location.
Now set up at an east side home in Owen Sound as of Nov. 1, Program Manager Lindsay Brown says it’s a nice change from their previous location at 2nd Avenue East.
“The move was really to create a larger space to help the youth grow in the program. We are now able to have eight youth between the ages of 15 and 18, were our previous location we were capped at about four. It really is a better space for them to be able to grow, we have a nice backyard where they are able to spend time, a nice big rec room, and things that we were just missing before,” says Brown.
Program participants receive supportive listening counselling, flexible programming to allow for school and work commitments, as well as the chance to learn life skills and goal setting. Additionally, the participants also have the support of The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce if needed, which includes court support and clinical counselling.
She says this is needed as human trafficking is becoming one of the most quickly growing crimes in the region.
“It is really important to be able to increase our capacity for the youth within Grey Bruce and surrounding areas to have a place to go. Human trafficking is just a growing concern in the Grey and Bruce area and we have been consistently full when we were able to have four. So being able to double our capacity was really important to us and there is a need in the community,” says Brown.
Brown says both she and those who use the program are very excited about the new location.
“They love that there are more bedrooms, that they all kind of have their own space. There is also a dedicated counselling room, which we did not previously have, so if they have any outside support, family, anything like that come and visit them, they now have a dedicated space for that, that is private and away from the rest of the residents,” says Brown.
Additionally, she says to make sure they can accommodate those who need their services, they also renovated the home they are using.
The program is currently fundraising to help cover the costs of the $150,000 renovation. Those who would like to donate to the program can visit The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce website here.
If a young person feels unsafe or are experiencing abuse, they can call or text the 24/7 help line at 226-668-0357 or email youthresidence@thewomenscentre.org. For emergency situations call 911.