The “Rangers” is a youth group focused on developing a sense of community through volunteering in a number of environment-related activities. ENVIRO Rangers program facilitates recreation and leadership activities for children and youth between the ages of 6 and 17 years old with a diagnosis of mental illness, mental health issues and/or behavioural problems. The program operates during the months of July and August.
Programming concepts include the following:
- Open group format with emphasis on participation and positive interactions with peers and leaders
- Peer interaction and peer tutoring
- Skills and attitudes learned within the program are generalized to other areas such as family, school, and community
- Opportunities are afforded for participants to develop leadership skills which allow them to take an active role in delivery of the program
- Family members are included through social events and formal case conferencing
- Every attempt is made for full inclusion of participants i.e. free activities, transportation
- Ongoing linkages are made with therapeutic services
- A multi-disciplinary approach to delivering the service is used
- Support is provided by community partnerships rather than a single agency
- An inter agency planning committee is responsible for sustaining the partnership
Goals of the Program:
- To promote the mental wellness of children and youth through community stewardship opportunities
- To reflect the philosophy of inclusion and integration
- To provide activities that address the multitude of barriers
- To provide learning in a non-threatening environment
- To utilize a multi-disciplinary/multi-partnership approach to service delivery