Programs

APPROACH

We use Restorative Practices to enhance communication skills, practice our values of Safety, Care, Connection, Leadership, Growth, and resolve conflicts.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

The following types of programs and services are offered variously throughout the year over the center’s three program cycles:

LIFE COACHING
Life Coaches are assigned to work with individual young people. Trained in Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change model, the coaches’ primary responsibility is to build transformational relationships with young people to support and engage them through a process of change and personal growth. The goal of the coaching experience is to help young people become motivated to take responsibility for themselves, their decisions and their lives.

TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
In NGC’s Transitional Employment Program, young people learn to work while working. Participants move through a series of supported job readiness training and internship experiences. As they progress through phases of the program, they receive in-depth training, work experience, and personal and career coaching while acquiring hard and soft skills. Read More...

VISUAL & CREATIVE ARTS WORKSHOPS
NGC offers a variety of visual and creative arts programming throughout the year including a Mixed Media Open Studio, and Swap ‘n’ Style workshops where participants take apart and redesign clothes.

CULINARY ARTS
Culinary Arts introduces participants to basic cooking and food preparation techniques as well as nutrition and nutritious eating. Participants learn about different foods, how to prepare them, and cook them in various ways. Following the cooking lesson, participants sit down together to enjoy the fruits of their own labor.

MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMMING
In addition to our computer lab, NGC has a fully equipped sound and video editing studio where members can create, record and edit their own music and video productions, learn the art of DJing; and learn the business-side of the entertainment industry.

LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS
NGC offers monthly life skills workshops and activities covering topics such as: Nutrition and Healthy Eating, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Safe Sex and Family Planning, Employment and Career Planning, Money Management and Financial Literacy, Community Service, Recreation, Socialization, Hygiene and Household Management, College and Post-Secondary Education, Know Your Rights, How to Find and Keep Housing, and Cultural Awareness and Diversity. In addition, we offer a 10-week Life Skills Challenge that focuses on personal goal setting and culminates in an adventure ropes course training at the Children’s Aid Society’s Wagon Road Camp. Finally, we integrate life skills instruction into all of our programming.

FITNESS
NGC offers fitness workshops focused on both strength training and cardio-vascular exercise. Classes also address healthy eating and lifestyle.

SUPPORT GROUPS:

SisterNet & Hoop Brothers
In male-only and female-only groups, participants engage in a discussion about issues of their own choice, including gender roles, relationships, dating and domestic violence, family, health and nutrition, the meaning of manhood and womanhood, education and more.

Staying Connected
We run a monthly support group for youth who have aged out of foster care. Young people share experiences and problem-solve with one another while building a community of care.