AFM Community Based Youth Services provides services for young people from age 12 and up who are either directly involved in problem alcohol, drug or gambling behaviour or who are affected by someone else’s involvement.
Youth counsellors will now be accessible to existing and future clients from new locations across Winnipeg, including: Access Fort Garry, Aikins Street Community Health Centre, Centre de Sante Sainte-Boniface, Eagle Urban Transition, Macdonald Youth Services, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad and the Street Reach Program.
Co-locating youth counsellors within agencies will enhance access to treatment and also facilitate an easier referral process for youth. Existing youth clients will continue to receive support and services from either their current counsellors or a counsellor who is closer to where they live.
For more information, please contact (204) 944-6235 or email: youth@afm.mb.ca
Goals and Services
The goal of our program is to reduce harm associated with alcohol, other drug use or gambling among Manitoba youth. Our programming is flexible. The extent of substance use or gambling involvement among youth varies. Interest in participating in programs or in making changes varies too. Some young people may choose to work on abstinence, while others may choose to change their use/involvement by reducing the harm. AFM Youth Services programming is based on the “Stages of Change Model.” This model recognizes that change is a process that involves various stages of motivation or interest in changing. We respect these different needs in our programs.
Assessment
This may involve a number of individual or group sessions or a combination of both. The purpose of the assessment is to gather information that will help the counsellor and the young person set goals and make an action plan based on the young person’s needs. This part of programming also often involves education on alcohol, drugs and gambling.
Counselling
This may also involve several individual, group or family sessions or a combination of both. The counselling programs will vary across the province. The purpose of the counselling programs is to assist the young person in meeting their goals.
Referral
AFM counsellors can make referrals to other services within AFM or external services as needed in order to help clients meet their goals.