Grey-Bruce Kids Spring 2024

A FREE MAGAZINE FOR 

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS 

SPRING 2024 • Volume 14 Issue 1 • greybrucekids.com 

Kitchen 

skills 

Experience has 

positive impacts 

Life after 

HIGH SCHOOL 

Help your teen get 

ready for next steps 

MENTAL HEALTH 

literacy 

Puppets help 

generate conversation 

FREE!

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Bring on spring! 

Ah... spring! Although you may be reading this in March, while technically the start 

of spring in Grey/Bruce, it often doesn’t feel like it. Rest assured, those longer, 

brighter days are ahead of us. 

It is often said that spring is a time of renewal, coming out of months of cold, dark 

days, but I always liken spring to a ‘new, new year’ – when plans are being made for the 

rest of the year. There are outside projects to prepare for, which seem to multiply under 

the snow, summer vacations to plan, new activities to sign up for (don’t forget that 

early registration!) and an overall sense of feeling hopeful, ambitious and somewhat 

alive again that coincides with the reappearance of the sun, grass and birds. 

This is our 13th year publishing Grey-Bruce Kids and I couldn’t be prouder that we 

have made it this far. I’m always grateful for our advertisers, writers and readers who 

support us each issue, allowing us to publish the only magazine for parents and 

caregivers in Grey/Bruce. 

In this issue, our writers provide some important words of wisdom and advice, no 

matter the age of your children. Carrie Houghton, a long-time guidance counsellor at 

Kincardine District Senior School, provides us with some important tips to help your 

child prepare for life after high school. 

Kala Stuckless, from Stuckless Healing Co., has an interesting and informative article 

about how to empower kids in the kitchen and the life lessons that are learned over 

a cutting board and by helping prepare a meal, while Julie Belanger explains the 

importance of encouraging emotional intelligence in youth. 

Kaila Radan of Grey Bruce Public Health writes about strategies for quitting smoking 

or vaping, or how you can support someone on their journey. 

Finally, Jackie Ralph from the Canadian 

Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, 

Mental Health and Addiction Services 

educates us on the four rules for good mental 

health. 

Thank you again to all our supporters, and 

happy spring! 

Amy Irwin, Publisher 

CONTENTS 

4 Kitchen skills 

8 Butt out! 

12 Life after high school 

16 Mental health literacy 

20 Emotional intelligence 

26 Resources 

30 Recipes 

SPRING 2024 

Publisher 

Amy Irwin 

amy@greybrucekids.com 

Magazine Design 

Becky Grebenjak 

Advertising inquiries 

Amy Irwin 

amy@greybrucekids.com 

Grey-Bruce Kids welcomes your feedback. 

EMAIL amy@greybrucekids.com 

PHONE 519-524-0101 

MAIL P.O. Box 287, Ripley, ON N0G 2R0 

Grey-Bruce Kids is distributed for free in Grey and 

Bruce counties, and is published each March, June, 

September and December. Distribution of this 

publication does not constitute endorsement of 

information, products or services by Grey-Bruce Kids, 

its writers or advertisers. Viewpoints of contributors 

and advertisers are not necessarily those of the 

Publisher. Grey-Bruce Kids reserves the right to edit, 

reject or comment on all material and advertising 

contributed. No portion of Grey-Bruce Kids may be 

reproduced without the written permission of the 

Publisher.

FAMILY 

Kitchen skills 

PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH KITCHEN EXPERIENCE 

HAS FAR-REACHING IMPACTS 

BY KALA STUCKLESS 

4 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SPRING 2024

What does it mean to empower kids in the kitchen? In 

today’s world I feel cooking is becoming a lost skill. We 

are all connected yet somehow disconnected on so many levels. 

Our world has become so fast-paced and we tend to get caught 

up in the busy-ness of moving from one thing to the next, 

grabbing food to go and not taking the time to cook at home or 

even taking the time to properly digest. 

We need to slow down. 

Some of the basic skills, like cooking, are not being taught 

in traditional schools any longer, so that’s why my goal is to 

empower kids in the kitchen. 

Growing up in a small town in Newfoundland, many of my best 

childhood memories are connected to the kitchen, whether it 

was baking Christmas cakes and cookies or cooking a traditional 

meal. These memories are so clear that I can actually taste and 

smell them still today. Having changed careers in 2019 and since 

completed a Culinary Nutrition Expert course, I knew I wanted 

to teach others how to cook with real, whole foods. With this 

certification there were many avenues I could go, but I was really 

feeling the pull to teach children because I feel it’s important 

now more than ever to teach children how to cook, especially 

with the rising costs of food. 

Cooking and baking are also skills they will have for the rest 

of their lives, and they can build upon it. Cooking and baking 

help build confidence, fine motor skills, and measurement skills. 

Not only do they learn hands-on skills, but they also build 

relationships, expand their creative expression, and learn that 

cooking is also an art and a science that can be loads of fun. 

Parents should use their judgment on what’s appropriate for 

their children’s age but ways they can become empowered in the 

kitchen include: 

• Having kids help grocery shop for foods they like (within 

reason). 

• Having kids help pack their lunch bag. 

• Helping with meal prep by opening containers and 

placing food in bowls or colanders to help wash fruits and 

vegetables. 

safely use in the kitchen, including: 

• Thick-handled plastic knives with serrated blades. 

• Wooden cutters with big handles. 

• Special gloves kids can wear to use regular knives to help 

protect their fingers. 

Setting aside a weekend or evening when your schedule is lighter 

and putting on some fun music while preparing meals at home 

makes it fun and easy going. I believe the more relaxed parents 

are in the kitchen, the more relaxed the kids will be and the 

more fun everyone will have. 

Recruiting Home Child Care Providers in Kincardine and Area 

Work from home 

Be a Licensed Home Child Care Provider 

Make a lasting 

impact and 

positive 

difference in a 

child’s life 

• Cut and wash lettuce and spin in salad spinner. 

• Help read recipes and put ingredients into a bowl. 

• Help with stirring. 

• Help with cutting fruits and vegetables. 

• Rolling dough for cookies or protein balls. 

• Flattening dough in pans for pizza and breads. 

• Cracking eggs (have kids crack the eggs in a separate small 

bowl, just in case some shells get in there). 

• Picking a theme night and researching recipes to cook 

together as a family. 

There are many kitchen tools that are age appropriate for kids to 

BENEFITS 

COUNTY 

OF BRUCE 

PRIVATE 

Number of children in your care 6 5 

Funds for start up costs Yes No 

Support from a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) Yes No 

Referrals to your Home Child Care business Yes No 

Guaranteed payment for families eligible for Child Care Subsidy Yes No 

Financial top up Yes No 

Financial support for toys and equipment Yes No 

Professional development and training Yes No 

Become a Home Child Care Provider with 

the County of Bruce Children’s Services Division 

Call 1-800-265-3005 and ask for the Home Child Care staff or visit: 

brucecounty.on.ca/childrens-services 

greybrucekids.com • 5

markets filled with fresh, in-season fruits and 

vegetables, farms that make maple syrup and 

honey, ones that provide fresh eggs, local 

flour mills, butchers who provide fresh meat, 

and local cheese factories. Understanding 

the benefits of eating local will help children 

make better food choices as they get older. 

Another benefit of teaching kitchen skills is 

the lesson that part of cooking is cleaning up 

their working area. Even though it is more 

fun to make the mess and eat what they 

create, kids should also help clean up the 

mess. 

Empowering kids in the kitchen sets your 

child up for success in the future. Each time 

they help in the kitchen their confidence 

increases; they’re excited to show family 

and friends what they can do, and they feel 

confident in helping. 

Once kids are comfortable in the kitchen, 

you’ll also save time and money, because 

they will be able to get their own snack after 

school or start dinner. They will become 

the babysitter that can make a sandwich or 

easy stove top recipe and also clean up after 

themselves. They will become the young adult 

who can pool their money and ingredients 

together to cook with their roommates, saving 

money and creating friendships. 

Empowering kids in the kitchen also means teaching nutrition, 

using recipes that are healthy, and discussing these benefits. 

It’s also a good opportunity to teach children the difference 

between healthier oils like avocado, olive and coconut, instead 

of using vegetable and canola oils. It’s also a good chance to use 

recipes for waffles and cookies that have less sugar or using sweet 

substitutes like maple syrup or honey. 

Teaching kids to read labels and how making a homemade cake 

or cookie recipe is still healthier than buying boxed or packaged 

is important knowledge, as store-bought items generally feature 

preservatives and unhealthy ingredients to keep foods on the 

shelf, and these are not so good for us. 

Working together in the kitchen is also a good way to teach 

kids that their food doesn’t just come from a grocery store. We 

are blessed to live in an area where we have beautiful farmers 

HOMEMADE PIZZA 

Here’s an easy pizza recipe that you can try at 

home with your family. It makes one regularsized 

pizza or you can cut the dough into 

four to six pieces to make individual pizzas. I 

often double the recipe and make a pizza and 

cheesy garlic strips as well. Kids can help with 

pouring in ingredients, stirring and kneading 

the dough. They can also help with washing 

and chopping of pizza toppings. 

Easy pizza dough 

Makes one pizza or four to six mini-pizzas. 

1 cup warm water (not hot) 

1 tbsp active dry yeast 

1 tbsp granulated sugar 

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 tsp of sea salt 

2 tbsp olive oil 

Extra olive oil for spreading on pizza pan. 

Favourite family pizza toppings may include pepperoni, sausage, 


peppers, tomatoes, olives, pineapple, Mozzarella cheese, pizza 

sauce, and pizza spices like garlic powder, oregano, basil, and 

thyme. 

Instructions 

Preheat oven to 425 F. In large bowl, add one cup of warm 

water, yeast and sprinkle granulated sugar over top. Let sit for 10 

minutes for yeast to form. Then add flour, salt, and olive oil, and 

mix with wooden spoon until dough forms. Knead with hands 

until dough becomes smooth and elastic. 

Form into a round ball and place in an oiled bowl, covered with 

a clean cloth for 20 to 30 minutes, until dough rises to double 

its size. 

Spread dough on an oiled pan, distribute your pizza sauce, 

toppings and cheese as desired. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until 

cheese is melted, and crust is golden. 

If making individual pizzas, divide into four to six portions and 

have each person stretch their dough on a floured surface. You 

can fit two smaller pizzas on a large cooking sheet. Top with 

pizza sauce, toppings and cheese, and bake for seven to nine 

minutes, until cheese is melted and crust is golden. 

CHEESY GARLIC FINGERS 

Spread dough on an oiled rectangle cooking sheet. If you have 

garlic butter, spread it on the dough and add bacon bits and 

shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until 

cheese is melted and crust is golden. Remove from oven and cut 

into rectangular pieces. Dip in pizza sauce and enjoy. GBK 

KALA STUCKLESS is the founder of Stuckless Healing Co. and creator 

of Empowering Kitchen series of cooking classes. Kala has been a 

resident of Bruce County for over 22 years. She is a wife, mom of three 

boys and two dogs, and loves the simple lake life living this area has to 

offer. She holds classes for kids aged seven to 12, with hopes to expand 

to teen and adult classes later in 2024. For more info, visit https:// 

stucklesshealingco.myshopify.com/pages/about or follow on Facebook 

and Instagram. 

REGISTER YOUR CHILD 

SAINT-DOMINIQUE-SAVIO 

800 23 rd Street East, Owen Sound 

519-371-0627 

CONTACT US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY! 

MyFrenchSchool.ca 


HEALTH 

BUTT 

OUT 

HOW TO CREATE A PLAN TO QUIT SMOKING OR VAPING, 

OR SUPPORT SOMEONE ON THEIR JOURNEY 

BY KAILA RADAN 


About one in 10 Ontarians currently smoke commercial 

tobacco – either daily or occasionally, according to the latest 

Canadian Tobacco and Nicotine Survey (CTNS). The 2022 

report, conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of Health 

Canada, also found that the highest percentage of commercial 

tobacco use is among people in the 45 years and older age 

category, which reports a current smoking rate from nine per 

cent to 13 per cent. 

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable 

disease and death in North America, harming nearly every organ 

in the body and costing the health care system billions of dollars 

every year. 

In recent years, Canada has also seen an increase in the 

popularity of electronic cigarettes or vapes, particularly among 

young people. According to the CTNS, 13.6 per cent of youth 

reported vaping in the last 30-day period. 

There’s no question that quitting smoking is a challenge, but it 

is one of the best things a person can do for their health. Studies 

indicate that it can take up to 30 attempts for a person to quit 

commercial tobacco use and that quitting is a journey that 

can involve changes to a person’s lifestyle, values, social circles, 

behaviours, and coping skills. 

In this article, we’ll share some information aimed at assisting 

people on their journey to quitting, including how to create a 

quit plan. We’ll also provide advice and information on how to 

support a family member or friend who is looking to quit. 

CREATE A QUITTING PLAN 

Quitting does not happen overnight, so it is important to 

physically and mentally prepare for your quit attempt. The Lung 

Health Foundation’s Journey to Quit workbook can help you 

prepare, and you can pick up a free copy of the workbook at 

Grey Bruce Public Health in Owen Sound or download a PDF 

version by visiting www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca, typing 

“Quitting” in the search bar, and selecting the top result. 

The following are things you’ll want to think about and write 

down while creating a quit plan: 

List your reasons for wanting to quit. Before starting a quit 

attempt, it is important to reflect on why you want to quit. 

What do you like or dislike about smoking or vaping? How 

would quitting improve your life? What might you miss about 

the activity? Knowing what is motivating you to change will 

help make it easier to stick to your plan. List your reasons for 

wanting to quit and hang them in a place where you will see 

them regularly, like on the fridge door, by your bedside, or by 

your car keys. 

Identify your concerns. This will make it easier to plan for and 

address them. For example, are you concerned about gaining 

weight? Our body’s shape and size depends on different factors, 

such as age, genetics, one’s environment, etc. Weight is not a 

good predictor of overall health, but behaviours like quitting 

smoking or vaping, being active, and eating nutritious foods 

are. Plan to incorporate some daily activity into your schedule 

and engage in eating habits that are enjoyable and sustainable 

over the long term. Active, healthy lifestyles help manage stress 

and improve mental well-being, which will support your quit 

attempt. 

Identify your triggers. This will also help you to plan ahead 

and develop new coping strategies. If stress is a trigger for you, 

brainstorm other ways that you can deal with it. For example, 

go for a walk, relax in a bath, or reach out to a friend. Did you 

know that cravings only last three to four minutes? 

The “4 Ds” can help you manage nicotine cravings: 

• Delay – Try to wait out the three to four minutes. 

• Distract – Find something to keep your mind or hands 

busy. 

• Deep breath – Relax and focus your mind on something 

else. 

• Drink water – Reach for a glass of water instead of a 

cigarette. 

Decide how you want to quit. There are many different 

techniques to quit smoking or vaping and you can use more 

than one way. These include quitting cold turkey, slowly cutting 

back, and using self-help guides, prescription medications, and 

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), which provides users 

with a “clean” source of nicotine that is not heated and without 

all the other chemicals found in cigarette smoke. It comes in 


the form of a patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, and spray, and when 

used properly, it can help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms 

people experience. According to Health Canada, “Combining 

a long-acting form of NRT with a short-acting form of NRT 

nearly triples your chance of successfully quitting.” There are 

several provincial programs that provide people with free quit 

support and NRT. Visit Grey Bruce Public Health’s website 

or call 519-376-9420 x7 to find out more about programs 

available locally. 

Pick a quit date. When you feel ready, choose a day that will 

work for you and write it down. Share it with your friends 

and family, so they can keep you accountable and be there as 

support. 

Finally, remember that slips and relapses are part of the process 

and should not be considered failures. Instead, learn from your 

mistakes and better prepare yourself for the next time you have a 

craving or are triggered by a life event. 

Quitting is a journey, and every attempt takes you closer to 

quitting for good. 

PROVIDE SUPPORT 

What if you want to support a friend or family member who is 

trying to quit smoking or vaping? Remember that only they can 

make the decision to quit, and you cannot do it for them. For 

many people, quitting smoking commercial tobacco is the most 

difficult thing they will ever do. The important thing will be to 

encourage and support them without “nagging” or pressuring 

them to quit. Let them know that you care about and respect 

them regardless of whether or not they smoke or vape. 

Understand that quitting does not happen in one stage. Often 

people must progress through the five stages of change (not 

thinking about quitting; thinking about quitting; preparing to 

quit; quitting; and staying smoke-free) to successfully quit. The 

stages of change are non-linear, and people can move back and 

forth between each stage. When your friend or family member is 

ready to quit, listen to their reasons for making the change, and 

tell them you believe in them and are there to support them. 

Let them direct the type of support they need. Perhaps they 

would like you to research quit resources in the area. Perhaps 

they would like to engage in different activities together. Perhaps 

they would like to go through this journey on their own. Do 

your best to respect whatever they request. 

If the person quitting slips, it can be stressful for them to think 

they have let themselves and others down in the moment. Be 

positive and use encouraging words to support that person to 

keep going. 

If you smoke or vape, and are not ready to quit, you can still 

help your friend or family member through their quit attempt. 


Don’t make fun of their preparations or attempts to quit, and 

when they are ready, refrain from offering them cigarettes or 

vapes. It might also help to stop smoking or vaping around them 

or create smoke- or vape-free spaces in your home and car. This 

may even be an opportunity to make a change in your own life. 

Choose a goal for yourself that you will improve your life so that 

you can work towards something together. 

Supporting somebody through a quit attempt can be hard work, 

but it can also be rewarding. Practice patience and reflect on the 

last time you tried to make a difficult change. 

For more information on quitting smoking, visit www. 

publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Health/Smoke-and-Vape- 

Free-Living or call 519-376-9420 x7. GBK 

Sources: 

Health Canada: Quit with Confidence: How to quit 

Health Canada: Smoking in Canada: What we know. Canada.ca 

CDC: Fast Facts and Fact Sheets - Smoking and Tobacco Use 

KAILA RADAN is a Public Health Nurse with Grey Bruce Public Health, 

and has been the Health Unit’s Cessation Nurse since September 

2022. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and baking, working on art 

projects, and spending time with friends and family. 

Learn how we make clean energy and medical 

isotopes at the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre. 

Wonder. 

Explore. 

Discover. 

www.brucepower.com/visit 

3394 BRUCE ROAD 20, NORTH OF TIVERTON, WEST OF HIGHWAY 21. T: (519) 361-7777 


EDUCATION 

Life after 

HIGH SCHOOL 

HELP YOUR TEENAGER PREPARE FOR POST-SECONDARY 

EDUCATION OR APPRENTICESHIP BY CARRIE HOUGHTON 


As the academic year progresses 

and teenagers inch closer towards 

making significant decisions around 

post-secondary education, parents find 

themselves helping to guide their children 

through this major phase of life. 

There is a diverse range of options after 

secondary school, making it both an 

exciting and overwhelming time for 

families and students. Below are some 

key considerations and tips for parents 

navigating this significant transition with 

their teenagers. 

PREPARATION 

AND EXPLORATION 

The first step is to encourage selfreflection. 

Help them identify their 

interests, strengths, and values. Engage in 

open conversations about their passions, 

goals, and aspirations. Encourage them 

to explore various fields of study and 

career options and consider incorporating 

online aptitude tests. These assessments 

can provide valuable insights into your 

teenager’s strengths, interests, and areas 

for growth. Websites like MyBlueprint and Career Cruising 

offer comprehensive aptitude tests designed to assess a range 

of skills and preferences. The results can serve as a starting 

point for discussions about potential career paths and suitable 

programs. 

Encourage your teenager to connect with individuals working 

in careers of interest through online platforms like LinkedIn, 

or family and community connections. These conversations 

can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day realities 

of different professions, helping your teenager understand 

potential career paths. 

Additionally, encourage your teenager to seek help from their 

school guidance counsellors who can provide personalized 

insights based on their academics and interests. The process of 

applying to post-secondary institutions can be overwhelming 

and guidance counsellors are a valuable resource to help 

navigate the process. 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS 

There are a variety of post-secondary options available, 

including universities, colleges, and apprenticeships. 

Universities are known for their academic rigour and research 

contributions. Students can earn undergraduate Bachelor 

degrees and may continue in post-graduate studies. Colleges 

provide practical, hands-on training for specific careers. These 

institutions offer diploma and certificate programs designed to 

equip students with skills directly applicable to the workforce. 

Researching these options together with your teenager can 

aid in understanding the diversity of courses, and career 

Make the most of 

your summer with... 

Summer School 

Get caught up or work ahead! 

• Courses for students in Grades 7 to 12 

• Gain secondary school course credits 

• Credit recovery options available 

• Grade 7 and 8 program focuses on math, literacy, 

and the transition to secondary school 

For information, contact your local Bluewater District 

School Board school or guidance counsellor. 

SummerSchool@bwdsb.on.ca 


prospects. Encourage your teenager to explore the Ontario 

Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and the Ontario 

College Application Service (OCAS) websites for comprehensive 

information on application processes, program requirements, 

and admission criteria. 

Apprenticeships offer a unique blend of practical training and 

theoretical knowledge, making them an invaluable option 

for individuals inclined towards skilled trades. Ontario’s 

apprenticeship system spans a broad spectrum of trades and 

industries, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, 

welding, and automotive technology. Encourage your teenager to 

explore apprenticeship opportunities through organizations such 

as the Ontario College of Trades and the Ministry of Labour, 

Training and Skills Development. These entities provide valuable 

information on available trades, apprenticeship requirements, 

and steps to initiate the application process. 

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND AID 

Discussing the financial aspect of higher education is crucial. 

Ontario offers a range of financial aid programs, scholarships, 

and grants. Sit down with your teenager to explore these options 

and develop a budget plan. Additionally, consider the costs 

beyond tuition fees, such as accommodation, books, and living 

expenses. 

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a key 

resource, providing a mix of grants and loans based on financial 

need. Encourage your teenager to explore eligibility criteria, 

application processes, and the types of assistance available 

through OSAP. 

Beyond OSAP, research other scholarships, grants, and bursaries 

offered by institutions, private organizations, and community 

groups. These additional funding sources can significantly 

contribute to covering educational expenses. Assist your 

teenager in building a strategy to apply for various scholarships, 

considering eligibility requirements and application deadlines. 


VISITING CAMPUSES, OPEN HOUSES 

Encourage visits to campuses and attending open houses 

or orientation events. Open houses allow post-secondary 

institutions to showcase their campuses, academic programs, 

and extra-curriculars. The primary goal is to provide a 

comprehensive understanding of the institution’s culture, 

resources, and community, allowing prospective students 

to make informed decisions. Open houses can also provide 

a platform for prospective students to engage with faculty 

members and current students. Allow your teenager to ask 

questions and interact with students and faculty to get a real feel 

for each place. 

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 

Transitioning to post-secondary education can be very 

overwhelming. Encourage your teenager to prioritize their wellbeing 

and mental health. Keeping lines of communication open 

is crucial during this transition. Acknowledge that it’s normal 

to experience stress and anxiety, especially during significant 

life transitions. Actively listen to their concerns and provide 

reassurance, emphasizing that seeking help is a sign of strength, 

not weakness. 

FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY 

Embrace the notion that the road to achieving a career is not 

always linear. Highlight the fact that career paths can take 

unexpected turns, and success is often achieved through a 

combination of experiences and learning opportunities. There 

is assurance in knowing that there is flexibility for students to 

explore different ways to achieve a potential career. Colleges, for 

instance, have reciprocal agreements with universities, allowing 

students to transfer credits and continue their education. These 

reciprocal agreements offer a flexible pathway for students who 

may start their post-secondary journey at a college and later decide 

to pursue a university degree, and vice-versa. 

Your role as a parent during this crucial phase is not to dictate 

but to act as a supportive guide, facilitating informed decisions 

that align with your teenager’s aspirations and strengths. 

Encourage your teen to view this as an educational journey, 

which is a dynamic process where choices made today can 

complement and build upon each other. GBK 

CARRIE HOUGHTON has been teaching for 24 years in Bluewater 

District School Board at Kincardine District Senior School. She has been 

a guidance counsellor for the last 15 years, helping students prepare for 

their post-secondary journeys. She lives in Kincardine with her husband 

and two boys. 


HEALTH 

MENTAL HEALTH 

literacy 

CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION 

USES PUPPETS TO GENERATE CONVERSATION 

AT EARLY AGE BY JACKIE RALPH 


The Friends and Neighbours (FAN) Club program of the 

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Grey Bruce 

Mental Health and Addiction Services has been using puppets to 

talk to children about social issues affecting them since 2003. 

CMHA Grey Bruce has been offering these programs for over 

20 years in local communities and I have been part of it for 19 

of those years in my role as Youth Awareness and Education 

Supervisor. I have been doing this for so long, I’m now speaking 

to children of students I spoke to two decades ago. The full 

circle is so rewarding, and these conversations are needed more 

than ever! The pandemic had an incredibly concerning effect on 

the mental health of our children and youth. 

A report by SickKids surveyed more than 1,000 parents of 

children and youth aged two to 18 years, and nearly 350 youth 

between 10 and 18, from April to June 2020. Across six domains 

of mental health – depression, anxiety, irritability, attention 

span, hyperactivity, and obsessions/compulsions – 70.2 per cent 

of school-aged children (six to 18 years old) and 66.1 per cent of 

preschool-aged children (two to five) reported deterioration in at 

least one domain. 

The objective of the FAN Club program is to offer peer-to-peer 

conversations with children in an effort to share messages about 

good mental health – what it is, why it’s important and what 

we can do to protect it. This is accomplished by sharing the 

four rules to good mental health. These rules are relevant for 

individuals of any age. 

The first rule to good mental health is loving you for you. The 

most powerful gift we can give ourselves is to recognize that we 

all have two lists – things we are good at and can do on our own 

and things we need help with. I ask the kids, ‘Who here likes 

hockey?’ and see plenty of raised hands, yet I can’t stand up on 

skates, and I don’t know the blueline from the redline, but I love 

singing the anthem at the games. 

Good self-esteem is our Teflon. Picture Garfield – do you think 

he cares if someone were to call him extra fluffy? He would just 

“fluff” it off and ask if you came bearing lasagna because he loves 

lasagna. 

There are so many positive examples of real people we can learn 

from who speak about the importance of loving yourself for who 

you are. One incredible example is Lizzie Valesquez, labeled on 

social media as the ‘ugliest women in the world.’ Watching her 

TED Talk is an excellent way to talk to our kids about selfesteem 

and loving yourself for who you are. 

The best way we can show ourselves love is to take care of 

ourselves by looking after our basic physical needs – getting 

enough sleep, drinking enough water, spending time moving our 

bodies, ideally out in the fresh air, and eating foods that give us 

the energy to do all the above. 

When we sleep well, we can focus and concentrate better, and 

it’s easier to stick to a routine such as packing our lunch. That 

gives us the energy to move our bodies. When we move our 

bodies, we sleep better. If we are missing any of those things, the 

whole wheel can start to move backwards. 

Rule 2 to good mental health is to surround yourself with people 

who love you for you, who make you feel safe and comfortable. 

Our friends come in equally diverse packages and can be people 

we go to school with, or play a sport with, be a neighbour, or 

a cousin. All of us need at least one person who knows us well, 

and can tell when we are not ourselves. We all need that person 

who will show up on our porch, sit us on the couch, wrap us in 

a blanket and feed us cheesies until we tell them what’s going on. 

Making friends can be easier said than done, though. With 


The fourth and final rule 

to good mental health is 

finding things that make 

you smile. We all need 

activities that can 

help us feel better, 

regardless of what is 

going on in our lives. 

social media and technology, we are more connected then ever 

yet more lonely than ever! We struggle to find, form and protect 

relationships. It takes practice. Try out new groups and clubs, 

and practice introducing yourself to others. 

A great example of the effort it can take but the reward we can 

obtain is “The Doorman.” Josh Yandt struggled making friends 

in school. When he had to move to a larger school in a more 

urban setting, he was worried about what would happen, but 

he also knew it had to be up to him to try something different. 

So, for the first week of school, he took the time to stop and 

hold the door open for others. It was a small, but at the same 

time, a scary thing, to put himself out there like that, and it paid 

off! Not only was he able to find new friends but his principal 

credited him for the incredibly positive effect he had on the 

entire school population. In no time others were also holding 

the door open and, by the end of the year, Josh was named Prom 

King, an incredible achievement that he never thought he could 

achieve. 

Rule 3 is the importance of sharing those feelings. We like to 

think of feelings like farts. Like a fart, we can be nervous about 

sharing our feelings, worried about what people will think or say 

about us, but, like farts, the longer we keep those feelings in, the 

bigger and more uncomfortable they can get and you know they 

are coming out, so it’s best to just let them. We all need people 

in our lives we can fart freely with. 

A great way to talk to each other about feelings is to get out a 

box of Smarties. Using the colours of the movie Inside Out, 

we can use the Smarties to highlight different moments in our 

day or week when we experienced the different feelings – fear, 

disgust, sadness, anger and joy. And who doesn’t love Smarties? 

Another great conversation starter is the “Bummer and Brag” 

check-in at meal or bed time. 

Kids Help Phone also has a long list of conversation starters, 

hundreds of tip sheets, journal prompts and online activities 

we can do with our kids to help visualize getting our feelings 

out and the benefit of doing so. Kids Help Phone has provided 

Canadian children and youth with 24-7 crisis support for over 

30 years. Teaching our kids about Kids Help Phone can include 

calling the service together for the first time to see how it works 

and reminding our children and youth if they are not sure who 

to talk to, they can always talk to them. Kids Help Phone also 

offers a text line. 

The fourth and final rule to good mental health is about finding 

things that make you smile. We all need activities that can help 

us feel better, regardless of what is going on in our lives. There 

are many names for this – self-care, resiliency strategies, and play 

are a few. 

Our brain is our thermostat. There are many things that can 

make us sad these days. The reverse is also true. There are many 

things that can stress us out, and bring about feelings of anxiety. 

It’s our brain’s job to recognize the feeling, allow us to feel it, 

and then help us get back to our normal “temperature setting.” 

Again, we all have different lists of how to do this. For some of 

us it’s people, places, songs, tastes, smells or hobbies. It can be 

as simple as taking a walk, snuggling with a pet, taking a deep 

breath, or sucking on a mint. Either way, the more accessible 

these strategies are, the more likely we are to use them. 

Much like we have regular dentist check-ups, it’s important to 

take a mental health check-up regularly. This can be as simple as 

checking in on the above four rules and deciding whether we are 


meeting all the objectives of the rules. Are there areas we need to 

work on? 

A great place to take a mental health check-up is 

wellnesstogether.ca. Created during the pandemic, this is a site 

funding by the Government of Canada. The survey provides us 

a colour – green, yellow or red – and offers advice, suggestions, 

courses and accesses to counselling. Even better, it reminds us 

when it’s time for another check-up. 

Sometimes we can do all the right things and still our “internal 

thermostat” can get stuck. This is what we call mental illness – 

when a pathway of our brain isn’t doing what it was intended to 

do. This is when we need to reach out for help. 

Some of my favourite resources are Keystone Child and Family 

Services and its new One Stop Talk Program, which offers realtime 

support to children and families from Monday to Friday, 

from noon-8 p.m., and Saturday from noon-4:30 p.m. 

Wes for Youth online had its beginnings in Walkerton over 10 

years ago and now offers free online counselling to youth all 

across Ontario and beyond. 

I also applaud the changes that have been made to the school 

curriculum over the last few years. It’s remarkable to think that, 

when I was in school, there was no mention of mental health in 

the curriculum until Grade 11 phys ed, which was an optional 

course, so you could have completed your high school career 

without every hearing the words ‘mental health.’ 

The best thing we can do for our families is bring those 

conversations home. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, 20 years from 

now, it’s as normal to have conversations about our mental 

health over the dinner table as it is to brush our teeth before 

bed. 

For more information about these and the many other programs 

offered locally by CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and 

Addiction Services, you can visit greybruce.cmha.ca. 

GBK 

References 

The Doorman | CBC.ca 

Lizzie Velásquez: How do you define yourself? | TED Talk 

Explore thoughts and feelings: 27+ resources (kidshelpphone.ca) 

Parents and caregivers - School Mental Health Ontario (smhosmso.ca) 

New research reveals impact of COVID-19 pandemic on child 

and youth mental health (sickkids.ca) 

JACKIE RALPH is the Youth Awareness and Education Supervisor for 

the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce Mental Health and 

Addiction Services. She has been providing mental health education 

and awareness in the community for 19 years. She grew up in Priceville, 

Ont., the home of the best Canada Day celebrations and the top 

toboggan hills in Grey/Bruce! 

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HEALTH 

EMOTIONAL 

INTELLIGENCE 

HELP REDUCE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN CHILDREN BY 

ADVANCING THEIR EMOTIONS BY JULIE BELANGER 

20 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SUMMER 2022

CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT IS AN 

INTENTIONAL INTEGRATION OF 

FAITH AND ACTIVITY 

BIBLE BASED 

TRAINED, QUALIFIED STAFF 

POSITIVE CHRISTIAN ROLE MODELS 

SKILL BASED ACTIVITIES! 

(ARCHERY, EQUESTRIAN, MOUNTAIN BIKING, 

CRAFTS, CANOEING, KAYAKING, EXPLORING, 

SWIMMING AND SO MUCH MORE) 

NON COMPETITIVE ATMOSPHERE 

FUN, SAFE STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT 

AGES 6 - 16 

Tired of managing your child’s tantrums, emotional 

outbursts and screaming? Research indicates that increasing 

emotional intelligence decreases aggressive behaviour (Gao et al, 

2023). 

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand, feel 

and process or express feelings successfully. Gao et al’s (2023) 

research indicates a strong correlation between childhood 

aggression and teen and adult aggression. If children’s aggressive 

behaviour is not regulated in childhood, it can significantly 

predict adolescent and adult aggression (Gao et al., 2023). 

Specifically, the inability to manage feelings of anger, irritability 

and sadness are more associated with juvenile delinquency and 

physical aggression (Sukhodolsky & Ruchkin, 2004). Children 

with lower levels of emotional intelligence are more susceptible 

to life’s stressors and reactability. Research suggests three things 

Loacted along 

the Saugeen River, 

Bruce County 

TEL (519) 881.2448 

director@campcherith.ca 

www.campcherith.ca 


can help increase emotional intelligence – nutrition, expression and play. 

VITAMINS 

Research indicates that nutrition directly influences the brain, especially 

Vitamins B12 and D and folate. Folate plays a vital role in proper growth 

development, Vitamin B12 is essential for brain and nervous system support, 

and Vitamin D deficiency can delay motor development and cause muscle 

weakness. Silva et al. (2022) categorize unhealthy foods as solid fats, sweet 

beverages, and gravies and healthy foods as fresh fish, fruit and nuts. It is 

uncommon that children will receive all their daily nutrients from their diet 

alone, especially those pickier eaters. Consider providing your child with 

vitamin supplements (talk to your health care provider first), encouraging 

eating more greens or including more veggies into their meals or smoothies. 

Please consult your family physician for the right combination of vitamins for 

your child. 

Reducing periods of hunger is equally important. Emotional eating is a sign of 

maladaptive emotional regulation (Vanderwalle et al., 2014). Children who are 

not able to feel safe expressing their emotions will seek comfort in eating. 


EXPRESSION 

Expression refers to the ability to identify feelings and healthily 

express them. Children learn what they see, not what they hear. 

For example, yelling at your children to stop screaming only 

reinforces that anger and frustration are to be expressed very 

loudly. 

It is imperative that caregivers recognize that they model the 

behaviour they want to see. Using expressive language builds 

emotional awareness. For example, saying things like, “I feel 

very frustrated when you fight with your sister,” “I am feeling 

exhausted from my long day, and I do not have much patience 

right now,” or “I feel so happy when I see you sharing with 

your brother.” 

It is good to let children know how you are feeling, whether 

happy or upsetting, as it communicates valuable information. 

Communicating feelings improves understanding and reactions. 

Creating an emotion meter or chart with your child may be a 

helpful first step to encouraging them to share their feelings. 

Choose four emotions that start at calm and build to anger. Use 

this chart to help your child indicate how they feel when they 

wake up and arrive home from school after an event or activity. 

When parents express healthy ways to communicate, children 

will naturally model that behaviour. No one is perfect. It is 

important that when an adult or caregiver overreacts, yells or 

says something they didn’t mean to any family member, they 

repair the damage. Repairing ruptures in the relationship is key 

to modelling healthy habits, which includes acknowledging what 

was said, apologizing for the words or the volume they were 

delivered, and including how it will be different next time. For 

example, “Mom should not have yelled those mean words (be as 

specific as possible). I was feeling very frustrated, and I am sorry, 

I will try harder to be calmer next time,” or “Dad was very angry 

and slammed the door. I am sorry that it scared you, I will try to 

manage my feelings in a softer way next time.” 

Gumtree & Sungjae (2022) found that mothers who scored 

higher on emotional intelligence were better able to positively 

parent their children and rely less on yelling, threatening, 


ibing, and guilting their children into listening. 

PLAY AND ART THERAPY 

Play is a child’s natural way to express their emotions 

and thoughts. Some playful interventions that target 

emotional regulation are play and art therapy or 

child-centered play therapy. Play and Art Therapists 

receive special training that allows them to be aware 

of the child’s play schemas and further understand 

what is happening in their inner world. This insight 

is helpful in exploring unresolved trauma and 

redirect maladaptive behaviours. The Play Therapist 

becomes a play partner and co-regulator for the 

child. The relationship between the child and 

therapist is very healing. 

Play Therapy helps the child increase their selfconfidence, 

problem solving skills, distress tolerance, 

and regulate emotions. The Play Therapist will work 

with your child’s interest to help reduce fears, process 

traumas, repair the parent-child attachment, reduce 

sibling rivalry and gain emotional expression. 

Furthermore, Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) music 

intervention is a listening therapy that helps calm the 

nervous system and return it to a calm state. Many 

life stressors cause people to become defensive and 

their nervous system to be in fight, flight or freeze 

mode. This music therapy is best delivered to both 

parents and children. When families complete the 

program together, they become each other’s coregulators. 

Fifteen to 30 minutes of listening daily, slowly 

reduces defences and allows more patience, calmness, 

proactive communication, reduces anxiety and 

improves focus and attention. The dynamic music 

activates the middle ear and sends signals down the 

vagus nerve. 

For more information regarding the Polyvagal 

Theory, try this SSP program on YouTube at 

https://rb.gy/klwpwm. It is a 10-hour listening 

commitment, and it is important to engage in 

light activities during listening (no electronics or 

phones while listening). While listening, parents 

and children can complete a puzzle together, colour, 

or create with slime or playdough. Visit www. 

counsellingbrucecounty.com/ssp.html for more 

information. 


Emotional resilience helps a child cope with life stressors 

and conflicts more effectively. High emotional resilience 

means feeling, behaving and moving past feelings (Richards 

& Gross, 2000). Children low on emotional resilience are 

less able to manage stressors, have high reactions, and have 

difficulty moving past emotions. Children with high emotional 

intelligence are better able to cope with stressors and conflicts, 

have better problem-solving skills, and are less likely to act out 

or be aggressive (Richards & Gross, 2000). 

Children who receive proper nutrition and vitamins, have 

parents and caregivers who model expressive language, and 

experience positive play experiences (Play Therapy or SSP) will 

have better opportunities to meet life’s challenges with grace. 

REFERENCES 

Gao, Q., Tang, W., Yang, Y., & Fu, E. (2023). Children’s 

emotional intelligence and aggressive behaviour: The mediating 

roles of positive affect and negative affect. In Heliyon, 9(10), 

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20366 

Gumhee, L. & Sungjae, K. (2022). Relationship between 

mother’s emotional intelligence, negative parenting behaviour, 

Preschooler’s attachment instability, and smart device 

overdependence. BMC Public Health. 

Richards, J. M., & Gross, J. J. (2000). Emotional regulation and 

memory: the cognitive costs of keeping one’s cool. Journal of 

Pers. Soc. Psychol. 79, 410-424. 

GBK 

Silva, A L., Teles, J., & Fragoso, I. (2020) Health-related quality 

of life of Portugese children and adolescents according to diet 

quality and food intake. Quality of life Research, 29(8), 2197- 

2207. 

Sukhodolsky, D. G., & Ruchkin, V. V. (2004) Association 

of normative beliefs and anger with aggression and antisocial 

behaviour in Russian male juvenile offenders and high school 

students. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 32, 225-236. 

Vandewalle, J., Moens, E., & Braet, C. (2014). Comprehending 

emotional eating in obese youngsters: the role of parental 

rejection and emotion regulation. International Journal of 

Obesity, 38(4), 525-530. 

JULIE BELANGER has over 20 years of experience working with 

children and families. She is a Registered Psychotherapist- Qualifying, 

and is registered with the CRPO, SSP certified and Play and Art 

Therapist (Intern). She is also a mother of two teens and has lived 

in Bruce County for over a decade. She has fallen in love with the 

community, people, and the Lake Huron sunsets. She looks forward 

to helping people in this community and being an active advocate for 

mental health. 

Join us 

THIS SUMMER 

in the area’s only free magazine for 

local parents! 

Contact Amy - amy@greybrucekids.com or 519-524-0101 for 

advertising information and editorial opportunities 


RESOURCES 

ABUSE 

Assaulted Women’s Helpline 

Crisis line: 1-866-863-0511 

www.awhl.org 

Bruce Grey Child and Family Services 

(Bruce and Grey Children’s Aid Societies 

amalgamated April 1, 2012) 

1-855-322-4453 

Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services 

1-800-567-2384; 519-371-4773 

keystonebrucegrey.org 

Owen Sound 

Saugeen First Nation - Kabaeshiwim 

Respite Women’s Shelter 

519-797-2521 

cgeorge@saugeenfirstnation.ca 

www.saugeenfirstnation.ca 

Sexual Assault and Partner 

Abuse Care Centre 

Grey Bruce Health Services 

1-888-525-0552 or www.gbhs.on.ca 

Owen Sound 

Victim Services Bruce Grey 

Perth 

Crisis: 1-866-376-9852 

Administration: 1-888-577-3111 

info@victim-services.com 

www.victim-services.com 

Victim/Witness Assistance Program 

Owen Sound - 1-866-259-4823 

Walkerton - 1-866-994-9904 

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca 

http://bit.ly/ujKyeE 

Women’s Centre (Grey and Bruce) 

Administration: 519-376-0755 

Crisis: 1-800-265-3722 

womenscentre@bmts.com 

www.bmts.com/~womenscentre 

Owen Sound 

Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey 

Sexual assault crisis: 1-866-578-5566 

Crisis line: 1-800-265-3026 

Administration: (519) 396-9814 

crisis@whsbg.on.ca 

www.whsbg.on.ca 

Kincardine 

BREASTFEEDING 

Brockton and Area Family Health Team 

1-866-507-2021 or 519-881-1920 

RN/certified Lactation Consultant available 

www.bafht.com 

Walkerton 

Grey Bruce Health Unit 

1-800-263-3456 

publichealth@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 

www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 

Owen Sound 

Hanover Family Health Team 

RN/Certified Lactation Consultant 

519-506-4348 

www.hanoverfht.ca 

La Leche League Canada 

Owen Sound; 519-376-5916; www.lllc.ca 

Moms Walkerton 

New Mom support 

320 Durham St.., Walkerton; 519-379-6769 

Support groups 

Southampton, Port Elgin, Paisley, and Tara - 

519-797-2010 

Kincardine, Ripley, Tiverton, and Lucknow - 

519-368-4847 

South-Bruce Breastfeeding Buddies - 

519-881-1920 

Wiarton and Bruce Peninsula - 519-534-0912 

Markdale - 519-369-3381 

Owen Sound - 519-372-1330 

The Mama Nurse 

www.themamanurse.com 

CHILDBIRTH 

Glamma Doula 

Christine Piotrowski, Postpartum Doula 

www.glammadoula.com; 519-477-9985 

Hanover and District Hospital Obstetrics/ 

Family Centred Care Birthing Centre 

519-364-2340 

admin@hanoverhospital.on.ca 

www.hanoverhospital.on.ca 

Jessica Connor Doula Services 

519-580-0612 or jconnor.doula@gmail.com 

www.jessicaconnor.ca 

Midwives Grey Bruce 

519-371-2886 

www.midwivesgreybruce.com 

Owen Sound 

Owen Sound Hospital Labour and Delivery 

519-376-2121 

www.gbhs.on.ca/owensound.php 

Walkerton Hospital Family Birthing Centre 

519-881-1220 

www.sbghc.on.ca 

CHILD CARE 

Acorn Montessori 

705-606-1642 

Thornbury 

Amabel-Sauble Child Care Centre 

519-422-3611 

Sauble Beach 

Beaver Valley Outreach 

519-599-2577 

Bobi’s Playschool 

519-538-5483 

Meaford 

Brockton Child Care Centre 

sbross@brockton.ca 

Brooke Montessori Toddler Program 

519-376-3447, Owen Sound 

Bruce County Childcare Services 

519-881-0431 or www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Bruce Peninsula Family Centre 

519-793-4100 

Lion’s Head 

Chesley Nursery School 

519-363-9544 

Durham Nursery School 

519-369-6973 

Grey County Childcare Services 

519-376-7324, www.greycounty.ca/childcare 

Hanover Montessori Children’s House 

1-800-906-7036 or 519-364-6455 

Happy Hearts Day Care Centre 

519-376-1284 

Owen Sound 

Inglenook Creche Day Care 

519-371-9471; Owen Sound 

Kids & Us Community Childcare 

and Family Education Centres 

Ayton - 519-665-2022 

Dundalk - 519-923-2182 

Durham - 519-369-9911 

Holstein - 519-334-3132 

Markdale - 519-986-3692 

Osprey - 519-922-2333 

Paisley - 519-353-7220 

www.kidsandus.ca 

Kids Street Nursery School - Port Elgin 

519-389-9050 

Kinhuron Integrated Day Nursery School 

Co-op 

519-396-4532 

Kincardine 

Le Jardin des decouvertes - Owen Sound 

519-371-4411 

Military Family Resource Centre - Meaford 

519-538-1371 x6509 

mfrc.meaford@gmail.com 

www.cafconnection.ca/Meaford/Home.aspx 

Meaford Co-operative Nursery School 

519-538-3854 

Nawash N’Shiime Day Care Centre 

519-534-3909 

Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) 

OneList – Find and apply for child care 

brucecountychildcare.ca 

greycountychildcare.ca 

Queen of Hearts Nursery School 

109 Balmy Beach Rd., Owen Sound 

www.queenofheartsnurseryschool.com 

Sandbox Daycare - Hanover 

519-506-7263 

Saugeen First Nation G’Shaw-da-Gawin 

Day Care Centre 

519-797-2419 

gshawdagawin@bmts.com 

www.saugeenfirstnation.ca 

Saugeen Shores Childcare Centre 

519-832-2400 

Tobermory Primary Place 

519-596-2606 

Unity House - Owen Sound 

519-371-8686 


Viola Jean’s Garden Daycare - Owen Sound 

519-416-5633 or 519-371-2362 

Wiarton Kids Den Day Care/Kids Club 

School age Program 

519-534-4434 

Wiarton Nursery School 

519-534-2121 

Wooden Hill Child Care Centre (La Colline 

De Bois) at Notre Dame School 

519-376-6952 

Owen Sound 

YMCA Childcare 

Arran Tara - 519-376-0484 

Hanover - 519-364-4938 

Kincardine - 519-396-9622 

Owen Sound - 519-376-0484 

Port Elgin - 519-832-6225 

Ripley - 519-395-5570 

ymcaowensound.on.ca 

DIET/NUTRITION 

EatRight Ontario 

Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport 

1-877-510-5102; www.eatrightontario.ca 

Empowering Kitchen Cooking Classes 

https://stucklesshealingco.myshopify.com/ 

pages/about 

Foodlink Grey Bruce 

Find locally grown meat, fruit and produce 

www.foodlinkgreybruce.com 

Good Food Box 


519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 



1-800-263-3456 



Owen Sound 


519-506-4348; www.hanoverfht.ca 


1-800-567-2384, 519-371-4773 


Ontario Student Nutrition Program Grey 

Bruce 

www.osnp.ca 

EDUCATION 

Academy of Learning - Owen Sound 

1077 2nd Ave. E., Suite B (2nd floor) 

519-371-6188 or www.academytraining.ca 

Adult Learning Centres 

Collingwood, Port Elgin, Markdale, Owen 

Sound, Walkerton, Wiarton 

www.adultlearningcentres.com 

Bluewater District School Board 

1-800-661-7509 or www.bwdsb.on.ca 

Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board 

519-364-5820 or www.bgcdsb.org 

Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence 

(French Catholic School Board) 

1-888-768-2219; www.cscprovidence.ca 

Edgehill Country School, Durham 

www.edgehillschool.org 

Georgian Tutors 

www.georgiantutors.com 

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 

JobsWork 

Aimee Kim, Job Developer, akim@clkd.ca 

519-396-9434 x223 

Leads Employment Services 

1051 2nd Ave. E Owen Sound 

1-866-955-3237 

www.leadsservices.com 

LiveGreyBruce 

www.livegreybruce.ca 

VPI Employment Strategies (Walkerton) 

519-881-4900 or 1-855-260-4900 

jobswalkerton@vpi-inc.com 

www.vpi-inc.com 

YMCA Employment Services 

1450 1st Ave. W., Suite 4A, Owen Sound 

519-371-9222 

employmentservices@ymcaowensound.on.ca 

FAMILY SUPPORT 

211 Ontario 

Online database of services in your area 

www.211ontario.ca 

Aspire Youth Services Inc. 

ryanmcleodplaytherapy@gmail.com 

aspireyouth.ca; 416-417-7098 

Big Brothers Big Sisters 

Owen Sound - 519-376-4449 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/bbowensound 

Kincardine - 519-396-3565 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/kincardine 

Bruce Grey Child and Family Services 

1-855-322-4453; www.bgcfs.ca 

Bruce Grey Mentorship 

504 10th St., Suite 2, Hanover 

519-506-5065; www.brucegreymentorship.ca 

Building Gender Diverse Communities 

Karen Houle, 519-377-3171 x238 

2spiritmentor@mwikwedong.com 

https://rb.gy/3qmoe1 

Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation 

- Native Child Welfare - Cape Croker 

519-534-3818; supervisor.ncw@gbtel.ca 

www.nawash.ca 

Counselling Bruce County 

616 Market St., Port Elgin 

519-266-3674; counsellingbrucecounty.com 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres 

Chesley, Hanover, Kincardine, Markdale, 

Meaford, M’Wikwedong (Owen Sound), Owen 

Sound (East Ridge), Port Elgin, Thornbury, 

Wiarton 

1-800-616-8116 

Family Support Initiative 

519-371-4802; fsi@hopegb.org 

mhagb.ca 

Frontier Therapy 

www.frontiertherapy.ca 

Grandparent Network 

For grandparents raising grandchildren 

Meets first Monday of month at 9:30 a.m. 

Owen Sound 

Call Mary Nuckowski at 519-371-2498 

Grey Bruce Supervised Access Program 

519-371-5991; pc-superacc@bmts.com 

www.supervisedaccess.ca, Owen Sound 

Kids Help Phone 

1-800-668-6868 (24 hours) 

www.kidshelpphone.ca 

Multiples in Bruce 

http://multiplesinbrucecounty.webs.com 

Nemesis Group Services 

Owen Sound; 519-372-2425 

www.nemesisgroupservices.com 

Parent Help Line 

1-888-603-9100 

Penetangore Wellness 

www.penetangorewellness.com 

PFLAG Owen Sound 

1-888-530-6777 x570 

https://pflagcanada.ca/ontario/ 

owensoundon@pflagcanada.ca 

Salvation Army 

Hanover - 519-364-3450 

Owen Sound - 519-371-0957 

Port Elgin - 519-389-3942 

Wiarton - 519-534-0353 

Trans Lifeline 

1-877-330-6366; translifeline.org 

Victim Services Bruce Grey 

Perth 

Crisis: 1-866-376-9852; Admin: 1-888-577-3111 

info@victim-services.com; 

www.victim-services.com 

Victim/Witness Assistance Program 

1-866-259-4823 - Owen Sound 

1-866-994-9904 - Walkerton 

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca 

http://bit.ly/ujKyeE 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

Beaver Valley Outreach (Thornbury) 

519-599-2577; info@bvo.ca; www.bvo.ca 

Bruce Children are Special Foundation 

Directs donations to the children programs 

provided by Bruce Grey Child and Family 

Services (formerly Children’s Aid) 

1-855-322-4453 ext 4133 

Social Services 

Grey County - 1-800-265-3119 

www.grey.ca/health-social-services/ 

Owen Sound 

Bruce County - 1-800-265-3005 

www.brucecounty.on.ca/ontworks.php 

Walkerton 


RESOURCES 

United Way of Bruce Grey 

519-376-1560 or manager@unitedwaybg.com 

www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com 

YMCA of Owen Sound and Grey/Bruce 

519-376-0484 or ymcaowensound.on.ca 

FOOD BANKS/HOUSING 

Beaver Valley Outreach - Thornbury 

519-599-2577, info@bvo.ca or www.bvo.ca 

Durham District Food Bank 

Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon 

Flesherton and Area Food Bank 

Marian Doyle, 519-599-3576 

Kincardine Ministerial Food Bank 

519-396-2185 or circlek@bmts.com 

Lion’s Head and District Food Bank 

519-793-3860 or helen.rick@amtelecom.net 

Markdale and District Food Bank 

519-986-1432 

Meaford Food Bank 

519-538-4550 

Paisley Food Bank 

Immanuel Evangelical Mission Church 

307 Balaclava St.; 519-353-5270 (Carol) 

Salvation Army 

Hanover - 519-364-3450 

Owen Sound - 519-371-0957 

Port Elgin - 519-389-3942 

Tobermory Food Bank 

519-596-1501 

Walkerton and District Food Bank 

519-881-0168 

Wiarton Food Bank 

519-534-0353 

Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce 

1-866-771-6776 or habitatos@bmts.com 

www.habitatgreybruce.com 

Ontario Tenants Rights 

ontariotenants@hotmail.com 

www.ontariotenants.ca 

Safe ‘n Sound Homelessness Initiative 

519-470-7233; www.safensoundgreybruce.com 

Subsidized housing 

Bruce County - 1-800-265-3022 

www.brucecounty.on.ca/socialhousing.php 

Grey County - 376-5744 

http://bit.ly/vVG1k0 

HEALTH CARE 

ActivEars Hearing Centres Inc. 

Owen Sound, Hanover, Durham 

226-784-3288 

www.activears.com 

Brockton and Area Family Health Team 

1-866-507-2021 

www.bafht.com 

Walkerton 

Canadian Mental Health Association 

Grey-Bruce Branch 

Administration - 519-371-3642 

Crisis: 1-877-470-5200 

jralph@cmhagb.org; www.cmhagb.org 

Collingwood General and Marine Hospital 

705-445-2550; www.cgmh.on.ca 

Connect Rehabilitation, Yoga and Fitness 

1100 16th Ave. E., Owen Sound 

admin@connectrehab.com; 519-372-2121 

www.connectrehab.com 

ConnexOntario Help Lines 

Drug and alcohol - 1-800-565-8603 

Gambling - 1-888-230-3505 

Mental health - 1-866-531-2600 

www.connexontario.ca 

Grey Bruce Health Services (hospitals) 

Lion’s Head - 519-793-3424 

Markdale - 519-986-3040 

Meaford - 519-538-1311 

Owen Sound - 519-376-2121 

Southampton - 797-3230 

Wiarton - 534-1260 

www.gbhs.on.ca 

Grey Bruce Health Unit - Owen Sound 

1-800-263-3456 



Hanover and District Hospital 

519-364-2340/info@hdhospital.ca 

www.hdhospital.ca 

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children 

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 



519-506-4348 or dford@hanoverfht.ca 

www.hanoverfht.ca 

Healthy Smiles Ontario 

Dental for families making under $20,000/yr 

Register through the health unit 

Online: http://bit.ly/JAqJbY 

Honouring Life Network 

www.honouringlife.ca 

HopeGreyBruce - Owen Sound 

Mental Health and Addiction Services 

519-371-4120 or www.mhagb.ca/gbchc/ 


1-800-567-2384 or 519-371-4773 


Kids Help Phone (24 hours) 

1-800-668-6868 or www.kidshelpphone.ca 

Kincardine Family Health Team 

Kincardine - 519-396-2700 

Ripley - 519-395-2601 

www.kincardinefht.ca 

Mino Bimadsawin Health Centre 

57 Mason Dr., Saugeen First Nation 

519-797-3336 

M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource 

Centre - Owen Sound 

1-866-202-2068 or admin@mwikwedong.com 

www.mwikwedong.com 

Owen Sound Crisis Pregnancy Centre 

1-888-371-2004; oscpc@wightman.ca 

Pediatric clinics 

Hanover - 519-364-2340 

Kincardine - 519-396-3331 

Markdale - 519-986-3040 

Owen Sound - 519-376-2121 

Walkerton - 519-881-1220 

Penetangore Wellness 

www.penetangorewellness.com 

Poison Control Centre 

1-800-268-9017 

Postpartum depression 

Grey Bruce Health Unit - 1-800-263-3456 

Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services - 

1-800-567-2384 

Ripley Physical Therapy and Wellness 

519-395-HEAL; info@ripleyptandwellness.ca 

https://ripleyptandwellness.ca/ 

Sensational Skills Occupational Therapy 

226 Queen St., Kincardine; 519-270-KIDZ 

ashleysimmonsot@gmail.com 

South Bruce Grey Health Centre (hospitals) 

Chesley - 519-363-2340 

Kincardine - 519-396-3331 

Durham - 519-369-2340 

Walkerton - 519-881-1220 

www.sbghc.on.ca 

South East Grey Community Health Centre 

55 Victoria St., Markdale 

519-986-2222 or 1-855-519-2220 

info@segchc.ca or www.segchc.ca 

St. John Ambulance First Aid training 

519-364-7004 or grey.bruce@on.sja.ca 

Online: http://bit.ly/t3Ye8g 

TeleHealth Ontario 

1-866-797-0007 

TVCC 

519-3370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 

www.tvcc.on.ca 

LIBRARIES 

Blue Mountains Public Library/ 

L.E. Shore Memorial Library 

519-599-3681 or thebluemountainslibrary.ca 

Bruce County Public Library 

opac.brucecounty.on.ca; 519-832-6935; 

libraryinfo@brucecounty.on.ca 

Cargill - 519-366-9990 

Chesley - 519-363-2239 

Kincardine - 519-396-3289 

Lion’s Head - 519-793-3844 

Lucknow - 519-528-3011 

Mildmay - 519-367-2814 

Paisley - 519-353-7225 

Port Elgin - 519-832-2201 

Ripley - 519-395-5919 

Sauble Beach - 519-422-1283 

Southampton - 519-797-3586 

Tara - 519-934-2626 

Teeswater - 519-392-6801 

Tiverton - 519-368-5655 

Tobermory - 519-596-2446 

Walkerton - 519-881-3240 

Wiarton - 519-534-2602 


Collingwood Public Library 

519-445-1571; www.collingwoodpubliclibrary.ca 

Dundalk/Southgate Public Library 

519-923-3248; http://southgate-library.com/ 

Grey Highlands Public Library 

Flesherton - 519-924-2241 

Kimberley - 519-599-6990 

Walter Harris Memorial Library (Markdale) - 

519-986-3436; greyhighlandspubliclibrary.com 

Hanover Public Library 

519-364-1420 or www.hanoverlibrary.ca 

Meaford Public Library 

519-538-1060 

www.meaford.ca/meaford-library-home.html 

Owen Sound and North Grey 

Union Public Library 

519-376-6623; www.owensound.library.on.ca 

West Grey Public Library system 

www.westgreylibrary.com 

Durham (main) branch - 519-369-2107 

Elmwood and area - 519-363-3321 

Neustadt - 519-799-5830 

Ayton/Normanby - 519-799-3242 

MUSEUMS 

Billy Bishop Heritage Museum - Owen Sound 

519-371-0031 or www.billybishop.org 

Bruce County Lighthouse Museums 

Cabot (Lion’s) Head - 519-795-7780 

Chantry Island (Southampton) - 866-318-8889 

Kincardine - 519-396-3468 

Point Clark - 519-395-2494 

Bruce County Museum, Cultural Centre & 

Archives - Southampton 

519-797-2080 or www.brucemuseum.ca 

Bruce Peninsula Visitors Centre 

519-596-2233 or http://bit.ly/rQQFf6 

Tobermory 

Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre 

519-361-7777; www.brucepower.com 

Chesley Heritage & Woodworking Museum 

519-363-9837 

Craigleith Heritage Depot - Thornbury 

519-599-3131 

www.thebluemountains.ca/Craigleith-Heritage-Depot.cfm 

Grey Roots Museum & Archives 

1-877-GREY ROOTS; www.greyroots.com 

RR4 Owen Sound 

Meaford Museum 

519-538-5974 

www.visitmeaford.com/meaford-museum.html 

Owen Sound Marine and Rail Museum 

519-371-3333; www.marinerail.com 

Paddy Walker Heritage Society - Kincardine 

519-396-1850 

www.walkerhousekincardine.com 

South Grey Museum - Flesherton 

519-924-2843 or museum@greyhighlands.ca 

www.southgreymuseum.ca 

St. Edmunds Township Museum - Tobermory 

519-596-2479 

http://bit.ly/vEdicK 

Tobermory Maritime Association 

519-596-2700; www.tobermorymaritime.ca 

Treasure Chest Museum - Paisley 

519-353-7176 or http://bit.ly/1PjTS1D 

NEWCOMER SERVICES 

Grey Bruce Settlement & Langauge Services 

519-371-9222 or settlement@osgb.ymca.ca 

ONLINE SUPPORT 

www.211.ca 

LGBT YouthLine: www.youthline.ca 

www.mentallyfit.ca 

www.pathwaysawareness.org 

www.shelternet.ca 

www.targetyouth.ca 

www.thehealthline.ca 

www.wesforyouthonline.ca 

PLAYGROUPS 

Grey Bruce Play 

Monthly inclusive playgroup 

Greybruceplay@gmail.com 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres 

Chesley, Paisley, Kincardine, Port Elgin, and 

Wiarton - 1-800-616-8116 

Hanover, Markdale, Meaford, M’Wikwedong 

(Owen Sound), Owen Sound (East Ridge), and 

Thornbury - 1-866-483-7774 

SPECIAL NEEDS 

Autism Ontario Grey Bruce Chapter 

226-787-0333 or marti@autismontario.com 

http://bit.ly/tO6kam; Owen Sound 

Autism Parent Support Group 

Community Living Kincardine & District 

519-396-9434 or www.clkd.ca 

Bruce County Children’s Services Resource 

Program 

1-800-265-3005 or www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Bruce Peninsula (Wiarton) Association 

for Community Living 

519-534-0553 

Community Living Kincardine & District 

519-396-9434; www.clkd.ca 

Community Living Meaford 

519-538-4165 

Community Living Owen Sound 

and District 

519-371-9251 or communitylivingowensound.ca 

Community Living Walkerton & District 

519-881-3713 or www.clwalkerton.org 

Georgian Riding Association 

for Challenged Equestrians 

519-372-2721; grace@log.on.ca 

Wicklen Stables, RR5 Owen Sound 

Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre 

519-986-1247; www.hopehavencentre.org 


Owen Sound; 1-800-567-2384 


PRANCE Therapeutic Riding Centre 

519-832-2522 or prance@bmts.com 

Miramichi Farms, Hwy. 21 Port Elgin 

Reading Rescue Ontario 

519-794-4745 or soehner@bmts.com 

www.readingrescueontario.ca 

Holland Centre 

South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council 

519-364-0008 or info@sgbyouthliteracy.org 

www.sgbyouthliteracy.org 

Hanover 

Special Therapy and Education 

Program of Saugeen (STEPS) 

519-797-1935 

info@stepsahead.ca; www.stepsahead.ca 

Southampton 

TVCC 

519-370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 


United Way of Bruce Grey 

519-376-1560; unitedwaybg@bmts.com 

www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/ 

Owen Sound 

SPEECH/LANGUAGE 

Bruce County Childcare Services 

1-800-265-3005; www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Closing the Gap Healthcare Group 

Rehab Express Grey Bruce 

1-866-990-9901 or www.closingthegap.ca 

Owen Sound 

South West Community Care Access Centre 

In-Home Services 

Owen Sound - 519-371-2112 

Walkerton - 519-881-1181 

www.sw.ccac-ont.ca 

TVCC 

519-370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 


VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children 

Support, speech and language therapy 

Grey/Bruce chapter is free to families 

www.voicefordeafkids.com 

WISH PROGRAMS 

Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada 

1-800-267-9474 

on@childrenswish.ca or www.childrenswish.ca 

Ajax, ON 

Make-A-Wish - Southwestern Ontario Chapter 

519-471-4900 or www.makeawishswo.org 

London, ON GBK 


RECIPES 

Spring brings fresh 

fruit and veggies! 

SPRINGTIME ASPARAGUS AND HAM PASTA 

We eagerly await spring with the first stalks 

of asparagus. Enjoy them with pasta in this 

easy-to-make sauce. 

PREPARATION TIME: 15 MINUTES 

COOKING TIME: 10 MINUTES 

SERVINGS: 4-6 

INGREDIENTS 

3 cups penne pasta 

1 bunch Asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 

2 tbsp butter 

1 onion, chopped 

3 tbsp all-purpose flour 

1½ cups sodium-reduced chicken broth or low-fat milk 

1 cup smoked ham, diced 

1 tbsp lemon rind, grated 

1 tsp dijon mustard 

1 tsp fresh thyme 

Pinch pepper 

1½ cups asiago cheese, grated 

INSTRUCTIONS 

In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until almost 

tender; about 8 minutes. Add asparagus; cook until pasta and 

asparagus are tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Drain and place in large 

warm bowl. 

Meanwhile, in saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add 

onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour, 

then gradually whisk in broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat and 

add ham, lemon rind, mustard, thyme and pepper; simmer a 

few minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese 

just until melted; remove from heat. Pour sauce over pasta and 

asparagus; toss well. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. 

Tip: Instead of asiago try a well-aged cheddar cheese or smoked cheddar. 

RHUBARB GRANOLA MUFFINS 

Granola gives a crunchy topping and boost of 

soluble fibre to these lightly spiced muffins. The 

rhubarb keeps them moist for several days and 

they freeze well. 

COOKING TIME: 15 TO 18 MINUTES 

PREPARATION TIME: 15 MINUTES 

SERVINGS: 12 

INGREDIENTS 

1¾ cup all-purpose flour 

1¾ cup honey almond granola (without raisins) 

¾ cup granulated sugar 

2 tsp baking powder 

2 tsp cinnamon 

½ tsp salt 

¼ tsp nutmeg 

2 eggs 

¾ cup 2% milk 

⅓ cup sunflower or vegetable oil 

1 tsp vanilla 

2 cups rhubarb or apple, chopped 

INSTRUCTIONS 

In medium bowl, mix together flour, 1¼ cups of the granola, 

sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg, breaking up 

any lumps in granola. In large bowl, beat eggs; whisk in milk, 

oil and vanilla; stir in dry ingredients until almost combined. 

Stir in rhubarb. Spoon into well-greased large muffin tins. 

Sprinkle remaining ½ cup granola over batter; press lightly on 

top. Bake in 375 F oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until tester 

comes out clean. GBK 

Recipes courtesy Foodland Ontario 

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Grey-Bruce Kids Spring 2024

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