Merrymount Brochure - SouthWesthealthline.ca

There’s
no place
like home...
but when children can’t be at home,
there’s no place like Merrymount.
You can do it.
Start with some support.
call Us for more information
about other merrymount programs
Short-Term Licensed Child Care Program
Crisis Residential/Respite Program
Parenting Groups
Children’s Groups
Supervised Access
All Kids Belong
Ontario Early Years Centre
Community Outreach
Health Zone NP-Led Clinic
ReConnect-Merrymount
Only at Merrymount
Helping
families
stay
together.
Our round-the-clock programs provide ongoing support for a range of life issues or sudden
crisis. Parenting difficulties, custody disputes, domestic violence, eviction, teenage pregnancy,
serious illness, new to Canada or other stressful and difficult family situation? We can help.
Overnight care makes Merrymount unique. Support, counselling, groups, parental coaching and
caring staff can help you to be confident you’re doing what’s best for your children and your
family. We work with all families, encouraging them to become involved with appropriate
neighbourhood and community supports and care when available and the family is able.
We are here to help you and your children, right now and
for days, months or years to come – if that’s what you need.
phone
519-434-6848
Bus route
Route 1, Kipps Lane/Thompson Road
merrymount.on.ca
1064 Colborne St.
London, Ontario N6A 4B3
Our focus is to help children by supporting
their families in times of crisis and transition.
Merrymount is an accredited children’s mental health centre.
2011
Children come first,
but we know the best way
to help kids, is to build
strong families.
Every family has its own strengths, even
at the most difficult times. We can help you
build on those strengths, provide resources,
counselling, emergency child care and support
the navigation of difficult life circumstances.
Our trained staff is here to help you, guide you
and support your decisions.
Our Programs
“My ex had a temper and
sometimes took it out on me.
After I left him, Merrymount was
a safe place for me to bring my children.
Participation in their parenting groups helped
me work towards a better life for all of us.”
Everyday, people struggle
to keep their lives and
families together.
“When I saw that line turn pink, I thought my life was over.
I’m now a student and a mom, thankfully Merrymount has been there to support me.”
Merrymount Programs serve children from birth up to 13 years and help more than 7,000 families
annually. We are often the first place a family in crisis is referred.
Short-Term Licensed Child Care Program provides
care to children whose families are experiencing emergency/
crisis, stress, disruptive situations and are in need of
transitional care. The program operates 7 days per week,
24 hours per day. Children are able to participate in the
program according to family needs for as little as one hour
of care up to 23 hours of care in a 24 hour period.
Crisis Residential/Respite Program provides care to
children in situations where the family is experiencing
stress, crisis or transition problems which make them unable
to provide appropriate child care on a 24 hour/day basis.
The program provides services to meet children’s needs
over a temporary period of family instability and to work
with the family to cope with the present crisis and to plan
for adequate care for the children upon their return home.
Family Resource Program offers a variety of
psycho-educational and support-based programs for parents
and children throughout our community. Finding balance
in the family where both the needs of the parents and the
needs of the children are met is crucial in building healthy
family interactions. Programs will build on family’s strengths
and respect the parent’s and child’s needs and preferences.
• Parenting Groups are designed to educate, provide
support and develop skills in personal well-being and
parenting. Programs help parents understand their
child’s development, temperament and behaviour to
build a stronger parent/child relationship.
• Children’s Groups promote skill development and coping
strategies for circumstances children may encounter,
offering them an opportunity to work through issues
such as separation/divorce, family addictions, self-esteem
and social skills.
“My world turned upside down
when the doctor said ‘cancer.’
It takes all I have to get through the treatments...
Merrymount keeps my children
safe and happy.”
Supervised Access Program assists families going
through separation and divorce who are having difficulties
over custody and access arrangements. The program
provides a supportive, safe and neutral environment for
visits and exchanges. Programs are offered in the court
districts of London/Middlesex, Oxford and Elgin Counties.
All Kids Belong promotes the inclusion of all children
with special needs into licensed child care settings.
All Kids Belong provides support to community child care
programs, Ontario Early Years Centres and Before/After
School Programs by enhancing their knowledge and skills
in working with families and children with special needs.
Community Outreach provides community-based
programming in cooperation with community groups,
schools and social service agencies. Public speaking,
training sessions for community groups and special
programs for local schools and neighbourhood groups
are available.
Ontario Early Years Centre (London/Fanshawe OEYC)
is designed to meet the needs of all London families and
children from birth to age six. The program helps parents
and caregivers enhance their parenting skills and
improve their understanding of children’s developmental
needs. This program gives children opportunities to play
and explore to help them develop socially, emotionally,
and intellectually.