Creative Space
Family Centre Art-Based Programs
The Family Centre Arts Program is a free, community-based initiative that uses music, theatre, and visual arts to build resilience, mental well-being, and community connections among children, youth, and their caregivers.
It consists of three components – Music Academy, Mini Act Theatre, and Creative Space (operating in the Family Centre) – each providing a safe, inclusive environment where participants can heal, grow, and express themselves creatively. Importantly, many program participants are from vulnerable groups: children and youth at risk of or already involved with the child welfare system, as well as newcomer families adjusting to life in Canada. By reducing barriers (programs are free and culturally inclusive) and fostering supportive peer and mentor relationships, the Family Centre Arts Program directly advances the Resilience Project’s mission to “prevent child abuse and neglect by creating a supportive and resilient community environment where children, youth, and families can thrive”.
This focus on prevention and equity is embedded throughout our programs as the initiative specifically targets those at risk or involved in child welfare and addresses challenges like social isolation faced by children with exceptional needs and newcomer communities
Age Group Served: 6 to 24
Impacts Achieved:
We monitor the success of the Family Centre Art programs through several means including Attendance & Retention, feedback surveys, observation and notes, standardized resilience measures, and continuous reflection on evaluation data for program improvement and refinement.
● Increased confidence, self-expression, emotional regulation, and fun
● Reduced social isolation and stronger peer networks
● Improved school engagement and community participation
● Increased sense of belonging and community through engagement and participation
Mini Act Theatre (Youth Ensemble)
The Mini Act Theatre program is year-long theatre arts program with free weekly workshops (2 hours each). Focus on acting exercises, improv games, character creation, and collaborative scriptwriting. It is an arts‑based, trauma‑informed program for children and youth from diverse background, lived experiences, and identities. Participants are diverse including those racialized communities, newcomers to Canada, those involved with child welfare services, or from low-income households.
The theatre environment welcomes all skill levels because no prior drama experience is needed, and English language learners are supported through visual and physical theatre techniques. Through theatre, storytelling, and collaborative creation, participants build confidence, communication skills, and a strong sense of belonging.
Two terms per year (Feb–June & Sept–Dec) each culminating in a Celebration of the Arts where youth perform an original short play for family and friends. The approach is playful and inclusive, ensuring even shy or first-time actors feel comfortable on stage.
Age Group Served: 6-18
Music Academy
The Music Academy provides free, accessible music education for children and youth from diverse backgrounds. Parents are also welcomed.Many participants come from at-risk backgrounds (low-income, child welfare involvement) but have a passion for music.
The program runs for ~40 weeks/year, offering weekly sessions where kids and teens explore making music together. Activities include musical games, learning instruments (ukulele, guitar, drums, keyboards), improvising, songwriting, and group performances. The program keeps emphasis on fun and creativity to keep youth engaged while they build musical skills.
Through lessons, ensemble practice, and performance opportunities, participants develop musical skills, confidence, discipline, and emotional resilience. The program removes financial and cultural barriers to arts participation and strengthens family engagement. Instruments are provided free for those who need them, ensuring access for financially vulnerable families.
Age Group Served
Children & Youth (ages 6–18), divided into children (6–12) and teens (13–18) groups. Parents/caregivers are welcome to join in sessions for family bonding.
Creative Visual Art (Drop‑In Arts & Community Hub)
A visual arts drop-in program providing a safe studio for kids to create art freely. Sessions encourage participants to experiment with painting, drawing, crafts, and more, with guidance from artists. The focus is on the creative process as children learn to take artistic risks, handle mistakes as learning moments, and develop their own style. Periodically, Family Day open-house events invite parents and siblings to create art together, strengthening family bonds and community engagement.
Age Group Served: 6-18
It is a mixed-age setting where younger children work alongside teens, and caregivers are encouraged to participate especially during open-house days.
The program is very inclusive: youth with special needs or trauma histories are welcomed (the environment is trauma-informed – facilitators are sensitive to kids who have experienced adversity). Many attendees are referred by child welfare or community agencies; for example, some participants live in foster care or group homes and find Creative Space to be a therapeutic outlet.