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YMCA
Youth Gambling Awareness Program
Youth
today are the first generation to grow up in a world where gambling is
legalized, normalized and actively promoted. Research has shown that gambling
patterns are established as early as 8 years of age and can be in place before
an adolescent reaches high school
Our
Goal
The
goal of the YMCA Youth Gambling Project is to implement prevention and
educational strategies, in order to reduce the harm associated with gambling
and/or problem gambling for youth between the ages of 8-24. The project has been
funded through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Ontario Substance
Abuse Bureau.
Benefits
to Your Organization
The
YMCA is committed to helping youth gain the skills and confidence they need
to become healthy, happy and productive adults; -
The
YMCA Youth Gambling Project supports youth to weight the costs and benefits
of gambling by creating and facilitating a discussion of where gambling fits
into young people’s lives;
-
The
YMCA Youth Gambling Project has the potential to destigmatize gambling in
the public view, to increase awareness of the problem, and to provide
options to young people, their parents, and caregivers to talk openly about
this issue and seek treatment;
-
The
YMCA Youth Gambling Project supports youth with the skills necessary to
continue to be responsible members of their community;
-
The
YMCA leads communities across the province in building strong kids, strong
families, and strong communities
Our
presentations focus on decision making, coping strategies and asset development;
they support components of the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum.
We
Offer
Community
awareness sessions -
Formal
presentations to schools and other organizations that work with youth
between the ages of 8-24 years
-
Educational
workshops for parents, teachers, health professionals, and other
agencies/organizations working with youth
-
Referral
to gambling treatment services
All
services are FREE!
Why the YMCA?
We
believe that prevention programs are essential to improving individual health
and personal development and creating a healthier community.
Signs
of Problem Gambling
Loss
of interest in other activities -
Being
argumentative
-
Feeling
irritable and restless
-
Feeling
anxious, depressed and/or suicidal
-
Increased
alcohol or drug use
-
Lying,
stealing
-
Promising
to stop but continuing to gamble
-
Money
appearing and disappearing
More About the Project
The
YMCA Youth Gambling Project is a collaborative effort between the YMCA of
Greater Toronto and seventeen local YMCA across the
Ontario
. The YMCA does not place value judgments on gambling, but sees it as a choice
that people engage in; therefore, our approach is gambling neutral. For more information, please
visit www.ymcatoronto.org/gambling
To book a FREE presentation in the Simcoe/Muskoka area, please contact:
Youth
Outreach Worker
22
Grove St. W.
(mailing
address only)
Barrie
,
ON
L4N 1M7
Phone:
(705) 726-5572
Email: ymca_youthservices@ymca.ca or elaine_rossignol@ymca.ca
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