THE ACTION CENTRE / SUDBURY ACTION CENTRE FOR YOUTH
Frequently Asked Questions
Sudbury Action Centre for Youth
What ages do you serve in the youth program?
Our youth drop in serves ages 16-24; our youth outreach team serves ages 12-25; and our TGInnerselves transgender support team can work with anyone from 12+
What time are you open?
Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm; with a free hot meal served promptly at 5pm
Are there other free therapists/counsellors in Sudbury?
In short, yes.
The Child and Family Centre has free therapy sessions for people under 18 years old and can be contacted at 705-525-1008.
The Canadian Mental Health Association also has free mental health services for people over the age of 16. They can be contacted at 705-675-7252.
If you are in Crisis, you do not need to go to the emergency room, you can call 705-675-4760 for help, or visit the crisis centre at 127 Cedar Street.
What can I expect from SACY’s Free Counselling Service?
SACY has a professional trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), who is able to help youth through a specific problem and/or reach a particular goal. CBT is a type of counselling that works on the basis that the way we think and interpret life’s events affects how we behave, and ultimately, how we feel. CBT is a short-term, problem-specific, goal-directed approach to mental wellness that requires the participants to actively partake in the therapy sessions not just during the meeting but after as well in the form of “homework.” CBT is not a long-term psychotherapeutic support service, life-skills program, or space where medication can be prescribed. We can, however, work with a youth who requires immediate short-term goal-oriented support while providing referrals to further supports in Sudbury.
How do I get registered for these programs?
To register for counselling, you must contact SACY’s CBT counsellor, Emilie at 705-673-4396 x207. To register for all other youth program activities and events please come to our drop-in location at 95 Pine street and we will perform a ten-minute (10min) intake interview. We require photo identification, and are willing to help you recover your identification if you do not have any.
TG Innerselves
What is transgender?
Transgender is a term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is a person's internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman (or boy or girl.) For some people, their gender identity does not fit neatly into those two choices. For transgender people, the sex they were assigned at birth and their own internal gender identity do not match.
What do I call a transgender person?
To be respectful of others’ autonomy and personhood, always use the name and gender pronoun that the person provides. If you are unsure which pronoun a person uses, you can introduce yourself and your own pronoun as an invitation for theirs “Hi, I’m Carrie and I use the pronouns he and him, and you are?” For some people, being called the name they were provided at birth can be harmful, it is always best to ask if you do not know, and sincerely apologize if you make a mistake.
What services does TG Innerselves provide?
TG Innerselves provides support for individuals who are exploring their gender identity & gender expression. We work with people who identify on the gender spectrum. We have the Direct Client Service Worker who helps individuals with one on one sessions in talking about their experiences, as well providing referrals for support in areas of HRT (Hormone, Replacement Therapy), surgery & more. We also have a Peer Support Group ages 16+ that runs every Thursday from 6-8pm. This is a safe space for individuals to build connections with others who are experiencing similar challenges in their journey. For education, we have an Education Manager who provides education around Trans terminology, human rights, workplace rights, etc, to other service providers. This being schools, work places, etc.
What ages do you work with?
We work one-on-one with ages 12+ & for the Peer Support Group ages 16+.
Do TG Innerselves workers, identify on the gender spectrum?
Currently, the Direct Client Service Worker & Education Manager both identify on the gender spectrum, bringing the lived experience.
Harm Reduction Outreach
Why are we providing free needles (harm reduction supplies) to people who use substances?
Substance preparation equipment that is used more than once, or is not acquired through a sterile source may contain HCV, HIV, and various harmful bacteria. Therefore sharing this equipment increases the risk of viral and bacterial infections among people who use substances. Independent studies out of the University of Ottawa showed that Ontario harm Reduction Distribution Programs have proven to be the most cost-effective means of reducing the negative health outcomes of substance use, from both an economic and human perspective.
What are the benefits of harm reduction programs for the people in Sudbury who do not use substances?
Research shows that harm reduction programs and practices can:
- reduce the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection and Hepatitis viruses in the community
- reduce injection substance use in public places
- Reduce the number of used needles discarded in public places
- educate about safer sex and sexual health and increase condom use
- increase referrals to treatment programs and health and social services
- provide training and advice regarding community safety through city/business planning
Homelessness Network Case Managers
What makes me qualified for your program?
If you have been homeless for more than 6 months, or find that you are frequently evicted from your home and end up sleeping in shelter or on the street you may qualify for our program. It is best to check and see if you are uncertain. We have links to intake and diversion here for you to follow if you feel that you may qualify for the program.
Can I walk in to SACY and get a place to stay the night?
In short, no. SACY, unfortunately, does not have any emergency housing, but we have: a navigator who can help you figure out who to talk to when you do not know the next steps in your housing journey. We also have a case manager assigned to people by the intake workers for further help finding and maintaining housing.
If you would like a case manager, contact Intake at 705-673-3721 at the Corner Clinic 344 Elgin, 2nd Floor; or 705-673-9576 at John Howard 204 Pine Street.
How do I access your program?
The only way to access SACY’s Housing Case Management Program is to apply through central intake. If you only need a little bit of help with housing, you can access our Diversion program. There is no guarantee that you will be part of SACY’s case management program you may end up with one of our partner agency’s case managers
What will you do for me if I join your program?
We will do our best to help you find a home and keep that home. We will support you in your recovery from homelessness and offer you services that you may not have had access to before.
What will be expected of me if I join your program?
There are really only a couple of participant requirements in our program and they are not very demanding. First you must be willing to participate in the program. We only work as hard as you do. Second you must agree to once a week home visits. And Finally we ask you to participate in a SPDAT assessment once every 3 months. This usually takes about an hour (which is how long our appointments usually last anyway.)
Is there an age limit?
Yes. The Homelessness Network of Sudbury will only assign individuals to case management if they are over the age of 18. If you are between 16 and 18 we will direct you to Foyer Notre dame House for Housing Case Management support
How long is the program?
Once you are accepted into the program you stay in the program until you feel ready to discharge yourself. Generally, we expect you to be in the program for more than 6 months. We will work from the beginning to plan your discharge but we won’t close your file until you are ready. We have people who have been in the program for several years and others who have been in the program for 6 months.
What do you consider homeless to be?
If you are sleeping outside, in a tent, a car or an abandoned building, couch surfing (staying on friends/families couches without paying rent and can only stay for a few days at a time), in a shelter, in hospital with nowhere to go once you are discharged, staying in a building deemed not fit for human habitation, or in detox with nowhere to go once you are discharged.
Will you pay my rent for me? I heard there is rent money available for people in the housing program is that true?
No we will not pay your rent for you. Your rent is always your responsibility whether paid from ODSP/OW/CPP/OAS/employment or any other income sources. On some occasions and with very specific situations some participants can get access to a rental subsidy however, we DO NOT provide this subsidy to everyone and the subsidy program is frequently full.