Knowles Centre Inc.

For over 100 years, Knowles Centre has been making a difference in the lives of young people and their families.

Throughout this time the heart of our mission has always been to help all who come through our doors to find a better life.

Today, Knowles Centre offers a range of therapeutic and skills-based programs that help young people and their families to address past struggles, develop better relationships an healthier lifestyles and reach their full potential in the future.

Knowles Centre operates five core programs and supporting treatment services; they include:

~ Group Care Treatment Program - provides a safe place for youth ages 12 to 17 to live while they (and their families) receive the support to work out emotional and behavioral issues they are facing. Youth in this program live in one of Knowles Centre's treatment homes, on-site or in the nearby community and receive multi-disciplinary interventions including youth care, recreational and clinical services.

~ Supported Advancement to Independent Living (SAIL) Program - Assists youth who are "aging out" of the child welfare system to transition to living independently in the community. The three-stage program begins by helping youth build the skills needed for independent living and later provides an apartment in a supervised setting. Youth can depend on ongoing support as they move from a supported setting before they become fully independent in the community.

~ Treatment Foster Care Program - Brings together professional services for children and youth with the strengths of caring individuals or families from the community. Children in the program range from birth to 17+ years an can often be placed with siblings.

~ Day Treatment Program - is offered in partnership with the River East Transcona School Division. Students attend the John G. Stewart School located on the Knowles Centre grounds and work with clinical therapist and a support worker to identify and address their behavioral and emotional problems.

~ Sexual Abuse Treatment Program - is a community-based program for young people ages 4 to 21+ and their non-offending family members who have been impacted by sexual abuse. The program uses play and art therapy techniques, individual and family counseling to help clients cope with past experiences in a positive way.

Knowles Centre also operates the following support programs that complement our core services:

~ The Biimautaziiwin Aboriginal Cultural Program helps clients, staff and foster families explore Aboriginal culture through healing circles, sweat lodge ceremonies, traditional crafts and story-telling. The programs are led by experienced cultural leaders with help from elders, traditional healers and First Nations community members.

~ Many clients attend the John G. Stewart Camp located in Manitoba Whiteshell Provincial Park each summer. For many, it is the first time they will paddle a canoe, swim in a lake, catch a fish, or spend the night outside the city. Camp helps to raise spirits and remind all there is so much to look forward to in life.

~ A Culinary Arts program, offered in partnership with John G. Stewart School, combines education, training and experience to prepare students for future employment in a restaurant kitchen. In addition to vocational skills, clients will develop personal skills necessary to gain and maintain employment.

~ Casual and organized recreation opportunities in every program strive to break down barriers and building friendships.

~ Outreach services extend the effectiveness of programs beyond our campus and into the community.