Wood's Homes Blog
Celebration of Connection and Coming of Age
In the everyday work we do with our youth, we often do not get a chance to step back, take a breath and marvel at the incredible work that these youth have done on their journey and reflect on the impact we have with the young people we work with.
A Letter From Alex
Alex came to a mental health program on the Parkdale campus in the summer of 2018. He was referred to Wood’s Homes by the team at Foothills Hospital, and was initially reluctant. It took weeks for Alex to feel comfortable enough to stay overnight with us.
Ginger’s Success Story
My story started at a junior high school unaffiliated with Wood’s Homes and I was described as an impulsive person with some anger issues and had been described as irresponsible with anything. My grades were rarely meeting the level I was capable of and sometimes I was outright failing.
5 Tips for Navigating Community Resources
In times of crisis, navigating the mental health system can be overwhelming.
Eastside Community Mental Health Services (ECMHS, or Eastside) has offered crisis meetings and single session therapy sessions to individuals, couples and families for 30 years.
Be curious! How a Learning Mindset Keeps Me Growing
I hold a BFA, MSW, and BEd., My brother has often joked that I won’t be happy until I have more letters after my name than in my name – Not an easy feat, considering the length of my name!
Best Field Trip Ever!
At the start of the school year, there was a pretty negative vibe in our classroom. The students, grades 3-6, who all have social and emotional challenges that make it hard for them to be successful in a regular classroom, had some pretty toxic relational patterns. There was a lot of swearing, bickering, insulting, gossiping, “tattling,” and even the odd fistfight.
Psychology Month at Wood’s Homes
Each February the Canadian Psychological Association celebrates Psychology Month focusing on a theme that highlights the contributions of Canadian psychologists.
Let the job tour begin!
The Inglewood Opportunity Hub (the Hub) provides a variety of mental health and wellness, employment, and housing services for multi-barriered youth. One of the core programs at the Hub is the Linking Employment Abilities and Development Program (LEAD), which is a specialized employment training program that provides youth (15-29) with the opportunity to gain valuable skills that will assist them in their journey to find and maintain meaningful employment.
Let’s Talk
Since 2011, #BellLetsTalk has been used and promoted over 1 billion times to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health. Every last Wednesday of January, you may have noticed your social media platforms filled with messages of support for those who struggle with their mental health.
Blue Monday
Do you know what Blue Monday is? I didn’t, then I looked it up. It’s a day that falls on the third Monday of January each year. The gloomiest day of the year where our mental health will apparently take a dip.
Addictions Awareness Week: A Community of Caring
Being in an active addiction can be lonely and isolating. Many people feel shame and guilt about their addiction, and do not feel comfortable or safe to reach out for help. By creating professional and personal support in a holistic way, it is possible for those who struggle with addictions to feel safe enough to be unapologetically honest and open about what they need and how they feel.
A Child’s Voice: The Right to Participate
Every year on November 20th, Canada celebrates the rights of children on what is called National Child Day. Canada chose this day to celebrate as it aligns with when the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child (UNRC) on November 20, 1989, as well as when the United Nations General Assembly put into place the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.