Youth — Referral Programs
Fairfield Community Association administers the Youth and Family Counsellors contracts for the Victoria, Reynolds and Esquimalt Family of Schools, School Distirct # 61.
Counsellors are accessible through the following schools:
- Victoria and Esquimalt High Schools
- Central, Lansdowne, Rockheights & Shoreline Middle Schools
- George Jay, Oaklands, Vic West, Lampson and Macaulay Elementary Schools
Visit the South Vancouver Island Youth and Family Counsellors website for more information or Ro Fife at 382-4604 - family@fairfieldcommunity.ca
For more information on schools and local resources check out the website for School District #61
Youth Outreach Programs
Fairfield Community Association Youth Outreach Programs are designed to provide events and activities for the youth in Victoria. The programs aim to provide healthy social opportunities for youth by focusing on participation in arts, cultural and recreational activities. These programs ensure that all youth have equal access to events through the provision of “free” or minimal cost activities. It also strives to develop the leadership capacities in local youth by including them in many stages of the planning process. These programs enable youth to expand their repertoire of social and recreational activities while simultaneously increasing the profile of youth in Victoria. The programs are run in partnership with the City of Victoria, Oaklands Community Association and the Fernwood Community Centre to provide these programs for the youth of Victoria.
We believe that it is the community’s role to ensure that youth feel a part of the community and that they are given opportunities to contribute. Therefore our programs for youth are offered at low or no cost. The benefits achieved by the development of youth through involvement in youth programs are the prevention levels that are realized. The cost saving is achieved through the long term “investment” made towards developing youth in contributing citizens of the future. The immediate benefits are through the reduction in negative behaviours such as vandalism, addiction, and youth crime. There is now sufficient research and documentation that involvement in recreation programs can have positive effects on the development of youth. Easy access, and therefore low or no fees is felt to be crucial.
Jump 'n' Start
Jump ‘N Start is a program that is delivered in partnership between the Fairfield Community Association, George Jay Elementary School and Central Middle School with assistance from the Ministry of Children and Family Development. We provide an opportunity for youth to spend time after school with a small group of their peers and supportive staff. The program includes trips to local attractions, recreational activities, arts and crafts, games and cooking.
The group is relaxed, voluntary, and combines both planned activities and informal social interaction. It is a weekly meeting for youth to have the opportunity to enjoy a safe environment and to have a lot of fun.
The group has four goals:
- Build a community of kids
- Expose kids to community activities where they have the opportunity to try new things
- Promote self esteem, social interaction and become a place for kids to develop their voice
- Identify community resources that kids can access themselves or with their families