Intersect offers a wide variety of programs, while also maintaining contact with many programs within the community for the benefit of Intersect clients.

Children's Comprehensive Resource Program

This is the core of our services at Intersect.

Mental health clinicians offer assessment and referral services, along with individual, family and group therapy. Priority is given to children and youth suffering from a mental health disorder or who are at significant risk of harming themselves or others.

Children and youth who are experiencing severe emotional or behavioural disturbances and who have limited resources to assist them are also prioritized for service.

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Family - Teen Mediation Program

Why can't we get along?

Family - Teen mediation provides a process for youth and their parents, or caregivers, to resolve conflict by:

• bringing families together
• giving everyone a chance to be heard
• learning each other's perspective
• trying new ways to communicate

Mediation is about building bridges together.

Family - Teen Mediation Services is available to parents, or caregivers, of teens between 12 - 18 years of age, for up to 6 months.

The Mediator, much like a coach, assists families in working together as a team!

Parents and caregivers can access Family - Teen Mediation services through:

• Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Your teen's school
• An Agency supporting your family
• Or by calling and asking for support

Contact: 250-562-6639 | ext. 132
Email: info@intersect.bc.ca

Find out more about our Family - Teen Mediation Program.

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New Directions Program

New Directions is an outreach based counselling and support program offered to youth in conflict with the law and may be at risk of committing further offenses.

Working closely with youth probation, young offenders that meet eligibility criteria are integrated into this ongoing support program. A supportive and therapeutic atmosphere is created to help the youth set individual goals, then develop the skills and access the resources needed to reach those goals. Ongoing contact and support are offered from their New Directions Counsellor to maintain continuity and promote accountability which is essential to their success in the program.

All referrals to this program are made through Prince George Youth Probation.

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Youth Work Program

This program is for youths who are referred by Prince George Youth Probation, and have successfully completed and graduated from the New Directions program.

These youth are considered "at risk". "At-risk" behaviors namely include conflict with the law, however further "at-risk" behaviors may include homelessness, poor school attendance, unemployment, sexual exploitation, mental health concerns and drug and alcohol misuse.

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Intersect School Program

A dynamic school program that provides educational services for youth aged fourteen to seventeen years old.

This service is only available to youth who are currently receiving counseling through Intersect and are not currently enrolled in other School District programs. The United Way of Northern United Way and Gaming and Policy Enforcement Branch currently support the Intersect Youth Care Worker position. This program relies on community donations so we can provide graduation ceremonies for those that complete all the required school work and other special events.

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Switch Snowboarding Program

The Switch program provides opportunities for local youth (ages 12-18) to connect with healthy adults and learn how to snowboard.

Every day of snowboarding is accompanied by a life lesson that includes one of our six weekly themes: PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, COURAGE, BELONGING, RESILIENCE, and MASTERY.

Since the inception of the program in 2006, a number of businesses have generously donated to the project. Diversified Transportation Ltd. kindly donates all transportation annually and The City of Prince George provides a safe storage and meeting area. This program operates solely on donations from the community and community grants. Intersect received a onetime grant from the Ministry for Children and Families to purchase brand new boarding equipment.

Switch has been offered in the community since 2006 and as staff that have been involved in the project since the inception, we have witnessed the benefits to both local young people and the broader community. Not only has the program supported many youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to snowboard, but it has fostered relationships between local youth and social service providers. In addition, it has provided youth the opportunity to become involved in a healthy, fun activity surrounded by healthy, caring adults. For this, Switch is proud!

Connect: Switch Program

Switch's mission statement is simple: To build life skills, self-worth and resiliency through the sport of snowboarding.

The Program: Switch is a youth development project that provides opportunities for local young people to connect with healthy adults and to learn new personal and life skills. For eight Saturdays from 11:00-3:00, adult volunteers and Snowboard Instructors accompany participants in snowboard lessons at the Hart Highlands Ski Hill. All transportation, lift passes, lessons, outerwear, and equipment is provided. While there is no financial cost for participants, there is an expectation: to attend all session, to participate and to try and to try again.

Weekly Themes: Each week will have a theme - an integral part of our weekly snowboard lessons. At various times throughout the day, we will visit, reflect on, and discuss the theme. All of the themes are seen as the anchor of our program. The sport of snowboarding serves as the vehicle that supports these impactful life moments or lessons. The weekly theme activity also provides an opportunity for kids to relate their on-snow experiences to different aspects or challenges they encounter in their everyday lives.

Who can participate:

• Youth ages 13-18 years
• Youth that have never snowboarded before (or have only once or twice)
• Youth that are committed to attending all eight sessions
• Youth that will take care of the equipment lent to them

Switch targets local "at-risk" young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to ride. Certainly our definition of "at-risk" is broad. All of our snowboarding students are of a low-income demographic and facing multiple barriers including: in conflict with the law; drug and alcohol misuse; mental health treatment; residential care; homelessness; sexual exploitation etc.

This program is funded through the generous contributions of the Whitmore family and Logans Legacy Fund and the community. This year's Switch Program was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Prince George. Learn more about Switch and Logans legacy.