Public Education and Awareness Program

Awareness and understanding of the reality of single youth parenting is vital in effecting change. Without support and acceptance from our community members, these youth are further isolated and at risk. We create and deliver presentations to schools, churches, local businesses, the general public and agencies/groups in Peel Region in order to raise this awareness level.

Volunteer Now to speak on behalf of Vita Centre or to train our speakers (links to Volunteer area)
We are a small agency and often rely on volunteers to do presentations for us and to train our speakers. Share your time and talents to bring this vital message to our community.

School Program - Education and Prevention for Youth

Classrooms are presented with information about unplanned pregnancy and the reality of being a single parent. Often a young parent accompanies our speakers to share their experiences with the class and answer questions. We also participate in Health Fairs held at local schools.

Topics covered:

• Facts on unplanned teen pregnancy
• Common myths about teen pregnancy
• Social issues common among single mothers
• The reality of a being a single parent- financial, emotional, housing and support.
• Vita Centre programs and services

Church Program

Invite us to attend and speak at your church service. We are often called upon during the Easter season to speak to congregations or groups within local churches.

Click here to book a presentation now

To raise awareness we:

• Make presentations, based on research and experience, to community and inter-agency groups.
• Promote information and services through newsletters, brochures, special events and our website.
• Provide facts and research to services that work with youth, e.g. school guidance departments, church ministers, welfare workers and community health nurses.
• Participate in health fairs and information displays at schools and community events.

The Facts

• 39,945 Single-parent families live in the Peel Region (Statistics Canada, Census of Canada, 2001)
• Out of 1000 women between 15-19 years old, 32.8 became pregnant in 1999 across the Peel Region (Health Planning Division, Peel Health Department, 2003)
• In 2004, almost 10,300 admissions, including almost 2,300 children, were made to homeless and emergency shelters across Peel. (Region of Peel)