Groups
Children & Youth Groups
**DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, NOYFSS WILL NOT BE OFFERING ANY IN-PERSON CHILDREN’S GROUPS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE**
Group times and dates often change based on capacity and schedules. NOYFSS will make every effort to notify all registrants if there is a change to date and/or time.
Empower Myself
A group for kids to learn strategies to help them express the emotions that come with growing up. Kids will learn to identify their feelings and find ways to express them in a healthy way. This group is offered in a small group setting of no more than 10 kids with separate groups for kids ages 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.
Please contact us to register.
Changes
A group for children who have experienced big changes in their lives (such as divorce, loss of a loved one, or a move for example) who would like to gain the skills to help them work through the big feelings that surround change with other kids facing similar challenges. This group is offered in a small group setting of no more than 10 kids with separate groups for kids ages 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.
Please contact us to register.
Kids Connect
A group for girls to connect with peers, practice self-esteem, learn how to create and maintain friendships, use their voices to be kind and heard and to gather skills to have respectful relationships with others. This group is offered in a small group setting of no more than 10 kids.
Please contact us to register.
Stay Connected
A weekly drop-in that follows the school calendar for teen girls ages 13 to 16 to talk about their experiences as they navigate what comes with becoming an adult. Topics may include mental and sexual health, self-esteem, self-harm, use of drugs and alcohol, goal setting, life skills and healthy relationships
Please contact us to register.
Taking Care of You and Me
Connectedness and inclusivity are front and center in this group for kids aged 9 to 12. Learning to speak with a language of kindness and listen with an empathic ear are important skills that can create healthy relationships and help curb conflict. Activity-based learning takes place at NOYFSS for the first 4 weeks of this group, and then the kids travel to Heron Grove to put their new skills into practice working with vulnerable seniors for the remaining 4 weeks.
Please contact us to register.
ACE - Adolescents Coping with Emotion
A group to help adolescents aged 14 to 16 develop skills to cope with difficult situations. ACE is particularly helpful for teens experiencing symptoms of depression, although the material can be used to help cope with other emotions as well. Teens will learn how to problem solve, get along with others and learn skills to help themselves feel better when they are feeling down.
Spring 2022 (Tuesdays)
Please contact us to register.
Inquire about Children and Youth Groups
Parenting Groups
Please note that group times and dates often change based on capacity and schedules. NOYFSS will make every effort to notify all registrants if there is a change to date and/or time.
Without Spanking and Spoiling
This group provides the opportunity for parents to find the middle ground between spanking and spoiling their children. The group allows parents to explore ways to guide their children in a nurturing and age appropriate way.
Please contact us to register.
Active Parenting: The First 5 Years
Your child’s first few years are so important! Explore the joys and struggles of parenting children ages 0 – 5.
Here is what you’ll learn:
- What a baby’s cry means
- Ages and stages of development
- Building a strong bond
- Your child’s growing brain
- Using mindfulness to keep your cool
- Choices and consequences
- And much much more!
Please contact us to register.
Active Parenting
Learn to create a positive home environment through activities, videos and education. Topics will include brain development, active communication, discipline, self-esteem building, family talks and stopping power struggles between parent and child. For parents of children ages 5 to 12.
February 22 to March 10, 2022 (Tuesdays)
Please contact us to register.
Parenting On My Own
A group for single parents who want to learn more about the Family Law Act, the importance of meeting your own needs as well as your children, improve self-care, learn mindful parenting techniques, listening to your children, community resources, setting realistic expectations, and learn positive discipline.
Please contact us to register.
Parent-Teen Conflict
A skill-building group for the parents of teenagers who are are having a high degree of conflict between parent and teen. This group helps parents cope with the challenging behaviours of their teenagers. There is also an ongoing support group for parents who have completed the program.
January 19 to March 9, 2022 (Wednesdays)
Please contact us to register.
Connect Parent
Do you have pre-teens whose issues make it difficult to do well at home, at school and/or in the community? Through Connect Parent, parents will gain new knowledge about attachment: how needs are expressed, and the importance of attachment to your child’s development. Learn to recognize and manage feelings and reactions and respond in ways that clearly sets limits and expectations. The Connect Parent Program was recently nominated for a Premier’s Award.
April 14 to June 16, 2022 (Thursdays)
Please contact us to register.
Young Parents
A group for parents aged 19 and under. Parents have the opportunity to connect with one another to share successes and struggles. The weekly group is a combination of parent education and/or a community activity.
Please contact us to register.
Managing Conflict in the Family
Conflict and anger are normal parts of family relationships at times. This program provides information, skills, and practice for parents wanting to decrease conflict in their home. We will focus on managing our own anger, understanding our children’s anger, learning and practicing communication skills and resolving conflict.
Men’s Group – February 8 to March 15, 2022 (Tuesdays)
Women’s Group – April 26 to May 31, 2022 (Tuesdays)
Couples Group – January 20 to February 24, 2022 (Thursdays); June 1 to July 6, 2022 (Thursdays)
Please contact us to register.
Successful Co-Parenting
Group to help parents explore their child(ren)’s needs during the transition period associated with the separation and divorce, and assists the parents in examining the ways their parenting choices affect their child(ren). The program is not therapy-based, but rather educational, offering skills, strategies, resources and support for participants who are in the process of separation or divorce.
February 3 to March 10, 2022 (Thursdays)
Please contact us to register.
Parenting a Child with ADHD
Children with ADHD may be sensitive, or intelligent, but they may also be impulsive, easily distracted and unorganized. Parents of children with this disorder often feel confused and challenged by their children’s behaviours and reactions.
This 12 hour program for parents (of children 4 – 12 yrs) allows parents to :
- explore the diagnosis of ADHD
- review typical vs. ADHD behaviours
- learn about development and behaviours
- learn effective parenting tools
- learn helpful strategies for success at school
May/June 2022 (Thursdays) – 6 weeks
Please contact us to register.
Inquire about the Parenting Groups
North Okanagan Youth & Family Services Society
Phone
Phone: (250) 545-3572
Fax: (250) 545-1510
Address
Vernon, BC V1T 2L9
Hours of Operation
8:30 am to 4:30pm
(closed 12pm to 1pm for lunch hour)