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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1988-12-07, Page 8Page 8 Times -Advocate, December 7, 1988 Safe Home program adds crisis intervention to services By Sharon Worm, Coordinator EXETER - The Safe Home pro- gram introduced to the Exeter area in May was designed to identify, serve and document youth 16-18, not currently being addressed by ser- vice agencies. This mandate has re- sulted in many calls seeking a va- ricty'of services. To date, Safe GETS ALL-ROUND CORD - Jodi Inson recently received her Girl Guides All Round cord from Helen Coates. • Girl Guides sell baking - Members of the Exeter Girl Guides held a suc- cessful bake sale Saturday morning. Shown from the left are Brandi French, Natalie Broom and Shannon Kammerer. See ZIMAEF 'S- for The Gift that gives you teasure a!f year Stereo TV 21" • 25 function remote control • built in MTS stereo • sleep timer (30/60/90) • last channel recall Stereo TV 28" • 25 function remote control • built in MTS stereo • sleep timer (30/.60/90) • last Channel recall TE -6746 Only $1525 ZIMMER'S TV DASHWOOD 237-3428 Homes has worked with 11 youth requiring referral and support servic- es. The number of telephone calls .outside regular business hours has • resulted in an expanded program for- mat. The core of the program contin- ues to be providing accommodation for any Huron County Youth with- out a place to stay. Expansion al- lows any youth to seek help direct- ly by telephoning tlktc crisis line and any parent can inquire about referral services through the same number. Safe homes remains a referral service and will not, at this time, be entering the counselling field. The program personnel have rapidly recognized.that people in times of trouble are not aware of the wide range of resources available or how - the access them. - hi dealing with the individual youth, the voluntary. aspect of:all• services is stressed. Further, the programprovides support to youth and parents, but docs no intervene to separate youth and family. A high level of community sup- port is evident in donations from - the United Church of Canada, Exet- er United Church, The Anglican Church, Exeter Legion, Optimist Club, IOOF, West Zion United Church, as well as individual con- • tributions. This community fund- . ing is being used directly to benefit youth participating in 'the Safe !Ionic program. The Ministry -of Community and Social Scrviccs.(MCSS) is, in De- cember, assessing funding require-. ments for the program in the com- ing -.year. The program is, now licensed and Safe Homes meet the same high standards established for foster care. Another objective of MCSS in the past year has been to raise pub- lic awareness regarding the desira- bility of good mental health. Pro- gram coordinator Sharon Wurm addresses this issue in public speak- ing to any interested person or group, together with the need for the Safe Horne program. Ongoing program development by the Board of Directors, networking- with .Hu- ron County Agencies, recruitment and training for Safe Home families •and on-call availability to the crisis line, round out the responsibilities of the program. . Longterm needs of Huron County youth are still being idcnti- fled. The Safe.Homes program will continue to monitor and document youth and their needs in this transi- tional phase -between adolescence an adulthood. This pilot program, unique to our province, will continue to be closely scrutinized over the coming months. Its flexibility in meeting need's as and when they are identi- fied is one of its strongest assets. Youth or parents requiring infor- mation or help can call: 1-553- 1799 (24 hoursa day). D.F.C. CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY Christmas Special Limited Time Offer - Call Now Get 5 rooms or up to 500 sq.ft of carpet and a 3 cushion cloth couch or sofa steam cleaned for The Low Price of $9995 And we move the furniture' Bonded & Insured Toll Free 1-800-265-4327 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Free Deodorizing for Pet Owners We Still Have A Few Appointments Left! SHOP GERRARD'S AND SAVE Our Christmas Sale Starts Now Off all fashion merchandise in all departments Ladies' - Men's - Boys' RRARD'S FASHION FAMILY CLOTHING EXETER MAIN ST., 235-2162 1