Youth Outreach Workers

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Youth Outreach Workers
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Youth Gambling ProgramOverview

• Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health
  Promotion
• Started in 2000 as a four year pilot project
• Originally, served seven sites in Ontario
• In 2003, the project received base funding for an
  additional 11 sites throughout Ontario.
• Now the program runs through 18 different YMCAs
  across Ontario

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YMCA Youth Gambling Program

• A prevention and educational program designed to
  reduce the potential harm associated with youth
  gambling, targeting youth ages 8-24
• Offers accurate information, harm reduction
  strategies and skills for making informed
  decisions
• Engages in awareness sessions designed to empower
  communities to take on youth gambling as an issue
  and to reduce the rates of youth problem
  gambling.

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Where

• Owen Sound
• Peterborough
• Niagara Region
• Sarnia
• Sault Ste.Marie
• Sudbury
• Timmins
• Toronto
• Windsor

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Harm Reduction Approach

• Enters into supportive relationship
• Non-blaming
• Gives options
• Accepts their choices
• Gains awareness
• Educates around potential harm

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YGP Presentations

• One hour interactive power point presentations
  for youth ages 8-24
• Four age-appropriate presentations
• 8-10, 11-14, 15-18, parents/professional
• Curriculum package for teachers
• Summer camp presentations

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Presentation Topics

• Definition of gambling
• Gambling continuum
• Skill vs. Chance
• Gambling activities
• Signs of problem gambling

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Topics continued

• Understanding Odds Probabilities
• Individual Luck
• Decision making
• Harm Reduction Strategies
• Referrals

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Integrated Into Schools

• Our Program supports the Ontario Healthy Living
  Curriculum at the elementary and secondary school
  levels under
• Health and Physical Education
• Language
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Technology
• Curriculum support packages for teachers
  available at
• www.ymcatoronto.org/gambling

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Before What does a gambler look like?
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After What does a gambler look like?
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YGP Community Involvement Initiatives

• YOWs as Change Agents develop outreach
  activities designed to increase awareness of
  youth/gambling issues in their communities.

• Impacts
• Empowering communities to take on gambling as an
  issue
• Reduce rates of youth problem gambling in the
  community

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Community Initiative Logic Model Parent
Take-Home
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Community Involvement Examples

• Health Fairs Hosted At Schools
• PSAs - Playin Safe Announcements
• Parent Take Home Sheets
• Community Library Collaborations
• Community Harm Reduction Place Mats
• Photo Journals
• Student Ambassador Program
• Poster Contest

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Timmins CI Project
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Common Questions Among Youth

• What happens in Casinos?
• How do slot machines workpayout?
• What is the difference between gambling and
  playing a game?
• How do people get hooked?
• Where does luck fit into this?
• What happens if I get caught?
• Is it okay to play with chips?

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YOW PIC
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Contact

• YMCA Youth Gambling Program (Lead Site)
• 42 Charles St. East
• Toronto, Ontario
• www.ymcatoronto.org/gambling
• Mike Dodds, Acting Director
• YMCA Youth Gambling Program
• 1-416-928-3662 ext. 4120
• Mike.dodds_at_ymca.net