RNJ Programs

Building Better Futures

At RNJ Youth Services, we are committed to empowering youth and families through a range of supportive programs designed to address their unique challenges. Our services focus on prevention, early intervention, and helping individuals overcome obstacles such as mental health issues, addictions, and involvement with the justice system. We believe that by providing the right resources at the right time, we can help youth and adults build brighter, more productive futures.

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Our Programs

After School Program

Every Tuesday the After School Program will be open to students grades 7-12 for free from 2:30-5pm! There will be snacks, sport, crafts and fun activities to keep you busy.

Launched in 2017, the After School Program is a free, drop-in program for youth in grades 7-12. Youth can positively engage in a variety of fitness, recreation and creative activities while being provided with healthy snacks and a meal. The After School Program takes place on Tuesday afternoons during the school year (excluding holidays) in Brockville. The After School Program is a safe, inclusive and adult supported environment. Youth are able to connect with staff from various youth-serving agencies as well as screened community volunteers.

Location: The Pier Church – 803 Chelsea St. Brockville, ON

All youth need to have the following forms completed in order to participate in the program:

Youth Registration Form

Forms must be submitted in person on Tuesdays at the After School Program.

If you have further questions please call Candice Serson at, at 613-342-4238.

Inclement Weather Policy – In the event of a snow day on a Tuesday, the After School Program will be cancelled to ensure safety for all youth, families, volunteers and staff.
C.A.R.E. Program

The C.A.R.E. program provides skill development training with an emphasis on learning how to make informed decisions regarding consent and relationships. This program provides a safe place for youth to develop skills and increase their knowledge in a non-judgmental environment to help keep them safe both in the real world and online. C.A.R.E. uses documented and reliable information as well as video clips, open discussions and practical exercises to enable youth to practice new skills.

C.A.R.E. is available throughout Lanark, Leeds and Grenville for youth between 12-17 years of age.

Would you like to bring the C.A.R.E. program to your school or community? Please email Rachel Burns at rachel@rnjyouth.com to get started.
Connections Program
The Connections program is offered in partnership with the Brockville Police Service, Gananoque Police Service and RNJ Youth Services with the support of Community Partners throughout Leeds and Grenville.

Purpose

To provide evidence based services in the Counties of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, for youth in grades 6-12 who are showing evidence of disengaging from the school system as seen through suspensions, progression toward suspensions or difficulty participating in school programming and with as-risk youth who have had or are moving toward contact with the criminal justice system.

Practice

Services will be offered in an individualized manner to address the root causes of behaviour; and assist in navigation and coordination of services including mental health and addictions.

Participation is voluntary.

Services will be provided by a professional educator and youth workers who will create a personal achievement plan for each child. The team will implement activities that promote life skills, the arts, recreational skills, social and emotional skills and support educational goals.

The services will be provided from 8:30am – 2:00pm weekdays at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Brockville. There will be opportunity for youth to access appropriate services outside of these core hours as well.

Measurement of Success

As with the individualized programming and service delivery the measurement of success will be individualized within the student learning plan.

Program success will be measured through standard measures such as:

Attendance

Participation in daily activities

Course work completion and achievement

Student self-report of success

Eligibility

Students who are in grades 6-12 can be referred by their home school, a parent or guardian, self, or other community agency.
Dowload Our Connections Flyer

Would you like to refer a young person to the Connections Program? Download our referral form!
Direct Accountability Program
Extrajudicial Measures & Extrajudicial Sanctions

Extrajudicial Measures (EJM)

The Extrajudicial Measures (EJM) program deals with young people between the ages of 12 and 17 who are in conflict with the law. Young people are referred to the program by the police prior to a charge being laid. If the young person agrees to participate in this program instead of going through the formal court system, a meeting will be scheduled with the young person, his/her family and the caseworker. This meeting will focus on assessing the needs of the young person and developing an individualized long-term plan suitable to his/her needs. The objective of this program is to provide an effective and timely response to offending behaviour outside the formal court system. The EJM program believes that early intervention will prevent a young person’s future involvement with crime.

Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS)

The Extrajudicial Sanctions program deals with young people in conflict with the law. Young people are referred to this program by the Crown after a charge is laid. It is required that young people accept responsibility for their actions. Sanctions are then negotiated with these young people and their parents/guardians in order to determine an appropriate way for them to make amends for their actions. Successful completion of this program allows for the young person to avoid a criminal record.
Gananoque Youth Drop-In

Every Tuesday and Wednesday the Gananoque Youth Drop-In will be open to students grades 7-12 for free from 2:30-5pm! There will be snacks, indoor activities, outdoor activities (weather dependent) crafts, computers, homework help and fun activities to keep you busy.

Launched in April 2025, the Gananoque Youth Drop-In is a free, drop-in program for youth in grades 7-12. Provided in partnership with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, The Town of Gananoque and the Gananoque Public Library. Youth can positively engage in a variety of fitness, recreation and creative activities while being provided with healthy snacks and support from program staff and screened community volunteers. The Gananoque Youth Drop-In takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons during the school year (excluding holidays) in Gananoque. The Gananoque Youth Drop-In is a safe, inclusive and adult supported environment.

Location: Gananoque Public Library – 100 Park St. Gananoque, ON

All youth need to have the following forms completed in order to participate in the program:

Youth Registration Form

Forms must be submitted in person on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at the Drop-In.

If you have further questions please call Sarah McCue at, at 613-342-4238.

Inclement Weather Policy – In the event of a snow day on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the Drop-In will be cancelled to ensure safety for all youth, families, volunteers and staff.
Intersections

The Champlain Youth Justice Service Collaborative (CYJSC) is one of the four justice Service Collaboratives created and has brought together 74 organizations and agencies from justice, mental health, addictions, developmental services and child welfare from across the Champlain region.

The CYJSC’s Intersections program is an early intervention model that focuses on navigation and coordination of services for children and youth aged 8-17 with suspected mental health, developmental disabilities and/or substance use issues, who are at risk of becoming justice involved, in order to improve well-being and reduce involvement with police services.

Referrals:

Referrals for this program can come from anyone who has concerns for a child or youth. Call the RNJ Youth Services office to enroll in this program: Brockville: 613-342-4238 or Smiths Falls: 613-284-8304.

For more information on the Champlain Youth Justice Service Collaborative:

For more information on the Intersections program, please watch this short video
Rebound Choices

Rebound Choices

The Rebound Choices program provides skill development training with an emphasis on learning how to make informed decisions regarding drugs and alcohol. This program provides a safe place for youth to develop skills and positive coping strategies in a non-judgmental environment. Rebound Choices uses documented and reliable information as well as a variety of guest speakers, video documentaries, open discussions and practical exercises to enable youth to engage and practice new skills.

Rebound Choices is available through RNJ Youth Services to Lanark, Leeds and Grenville residents.

Would you like to refer a young person to the Rebound Choices Program? Download our referral form!
Youth-in-Transition Worker Program

The goal of the Youth-in-Transition Worker (YITW) program is to support youth in their successful transition out of the child welfare system into adulthood. YITWs will help youth to develop their goals and plans, and will support youth to identify, access, and navigate adult service systems relevant to their specific and individualized needs in order to pursue their goals. The YITWs will also support youth to connect to existing supports and resources within their communities including, housing supports, education resources, employment services and training, life skills training (e.g. financial management, household management), health and mental health services, and legal services.

Who is eligible:

youth who are ages 16-24 who have Family and Children Services involvement and are/ have had “Crown Ward” status

How to make a referral:

Contact Jayme at RNJ Youth Services.

Jayme Jackson – Youth in Transition Worker
Office: 613-342-4238
Cell: 613-485-2252
jayme@rnjyouth.com
Youth Justice Committee

The Youth Justice Committee for Leeds and Grenville is an alternative program to formal court proceedings that is accessed through our Extrajudicial Measures and Extrajudicial Sanctions programs. A youth and their parent(s) or guardian will meet with a committee of community volunteers and the victim. Together they will negotiate meaningful ways or “sanctions” for the youth to repair the harm caused.

The Youth Justice Committee Provides

A voice for the victim to express how the youth’s actions have affected them.
An opportunity for youth to better understand their actions and how they impact the people they have harmed, their parents and their community.
Opportunity for communities to become directly involved in the administration of youth justice.
Timely and meaningful resolution to offending behaviour that avoids victims and witnesses having to go to court.
To be eligible for the program, the young person must be between the ages of 12 and 17 at the time of the offence. In addition, the youth must be willing to accept responsibility for their actions. Referrals are received pre-charge from Police and post-charge from the Crown Attorney. Some eligible offences include theft, mischief, property offences and minor assaults.

The Youth Justice Committee requires that the young person apologize to the victim for the harm that he/she has caused. In addition to the apology, the young person may be required to complete one or more of the following measures: community service, restitution, attendance in a group, voluntary participation in counselling and others as determined by the committee. Upon completion of the set measures, the police will not lay charges, or the charge(s) will be withdrawn by the court. If the young person does not agree with or fails to comply with the agreed upon measures, he/she will be returned to the formal justice system.

For more information view the Youth Justice Committee brochure:

Dowload PDF
Youth Mental Health Court Worker

Program

The YMHCW Program provides support and services to youth aged 12 – 18 with suspected or known mental health needs involved in the Youth Justice System. The purpose of the program is to identify the mental health needs of youth and provide referrals and make connections to appropriate services and resources in the community to address individual needs and redirect the youth away from the Criminal Justice system. The Program is voluntary and requires the consent of the youth and parent/guardian.

Eligibility

Youth aged 12 – 18 (at the time of the offence) with mental health issues suspected or diagnosed and have charges before the court.
Youth lives in the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville catchment area. Courts served: Brockville, Kemptville, and Perth. Youth residing elsewhere can be connected with YMHCW in other jurisdictions.
Referrals can come from the youth, their family/friends, crown/defence attorney, judges, court staff, police, probation, schools, mental health professionals and community agencies.

Program Features

Consultation: The YMHCW is a resource to youth, and their family/friends, and the court regarding community supports, information and referral.
Court Support: The YMHCW can provide court support to youth who are not eligible for a diversion but could benefit from similar services.
Mental Health Diversion: A voluntary pre-trial procedure where the Crown Attorney decides not to prosecute an accused youth. This occurs when the Crown believes a mental health or developmental need is the underlying cause of the alleged criminal conduct. The YMHCW and the youth work together to create a diversion plan that will connect the youth to appropriate mental health services and programs.

How to Access the YMHCW Program

Referrals can be made at any stage of the court process. To make a referral please contact the Youth Mental Health Court Worker in Lanark County or Leeds and Grenville County as noted below.

Lanark
91 Cornelia St. West, Unit 110, Smiths Falls, ON
Phone: 613-284-8304 Fax: 613-284-8300

Leeds and Grenville
779 Chelsea St., Suite BL2, Brockville, ON
Phone: 613-342-4238 Fax: 613-342-4211

Would you like to refer a young person to the Youth Mental Health Court Worker?
View our referral form!

Dowload PDF

To access services in French, please inform your caseworker of your language preference prior to your first intake appointment. / Pour accéder aux services en français, veuillez informer votre intervenant(e) de votre préférence linguistique avant votre première rencontre d’évaluation.

RNJ Programs

Building Better Futures

Our Programs

The Connections program is offered in partnership with the Brockville Police Service, Gananoque Police Service and RNJ Youth Services with the support of Community Partners throughout Leeds and Grenville.

Purpose

Practice

Measurement of Success

Eligibility

Extrajudicial Measures (EJM)

Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS)

Referrals:

Rebound Choices

Who is eligible:

How to make a referral:

Program

Eligibility

Program Features

How to Access the YMHCW Program

LINKS

BROCKVILLE

SMITHS FALLS