Newmarket's Cedar Centre planning for youth advocacy centre

Facility 'will ensure our children and youth are not further traumatized'

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 19, 2021
Lisa Queen

Newmarket-based Cedar Centre, the leading provider of trauma-specific therapy to children, youth and adults in York Region, has announced plans to create the region’s first child and youth advocacy centre.

Created in partnership with York Regional Police, York Region Children’s Aid Society, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services, and Jewish Family and Child Service, the new centre (CYAC) will ensure children and youth who have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect are not further traumatized by the system.

“Child and youth advocacy centres are considered to be the gold standard for responding to child abuse,” Cedar Centre executive director, Alison Peck, said in a statement.

“This vision of creating one in York Region will ensure our children and youth are not further traumatized by our systems. By improving the coordination of critical services, children and youth will only have to tell their story once.”

While the CYAC will be the first in York Region, there are now more than 30 centres across Canada.

The hope is to launch a pilot program in 2022, with the new centre opening in 2025. A location in York Region has not yet been determined.

“Based on the current environment and the studies that show the long-term effects COVID-19 can have on our children, youth and communities, this CYAC will make a tremendous difference to the lives of the children and youth of York Region who have experienced interpersonal trauma,” Cedar Centre board chair Ken Gibbons said.

“We’re excited to be working closely with such important partners, and thankful for the community support we’ve received so far.”

The project is supported by the federal Department of Justice and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.