Parent Support Groups

Parent Support Groups provide information and support specific to the challenges parents and families face. The Parent Support Groups offered through Children’s Centre Thunder Bay provide education and community connections to help improve coping skills and quality of life.

Parent Support Groups may vary as new groups are developed. Children’s Centre Thunder Bay currently offers the following two groups.

Virtual Family Peer Support Groups

Children's Centre Thunder Bay, in partnership with Pleo, offer three weekly virtual support groups available to parents and caregivers to age 25 who are struggling with mental health, addiction, or behavioural challenges.

What: Pleo’s Virtual Parent Support Groups are confidential, no judgement, small groups of parents who meet to support each other, share valuable information, and connect with a community. These are hosted by two Family Peer Supporters who bring their own experience and wisdom, and knowledge of the services and resources available. Parents from across Ontario participate in our groups.

When:

DROP-IN Support Group for Parents of children to age 12
Every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. For parents of children to age 12 struggling with any mental health or addiction challenge. On the 1st Tuesday of the month, we will focus on ADHD. On the 4th Tuesday of the month the group will be bilingual. Click this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85109801085

DROP-IN Support Group for Parents of children ages 13 to 25
Every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. For Parents of children ages 13 to 25 struggling with any mental health or addiction challenge. On the 4th Wednesday of the month the group will be bilingual. Click this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83150489909

DROP-IN SMART Recovery Family & Friends
Every Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. For all family and friends of those struggling with addiction and addictive behaviours. Click this link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/293138126

Why: More than 90% of parents and caregivers who have used out services report feeling better able to cope, better able to support their child, and better able to access the services they need. They also report feeling less anxious, stressed and isolated.

For more information visit: https://www.pleo.on.ca/where-to-find-us/

"Parents who use these services are better able to access the services they need, better able to support their child, better able to cope, and they feel less alone, stressed, and anxious.
As parents ourselves, these are the outcomes we know will help our
struggling kids - and the whole family - flourish"

Down Syndrome Parent Support Group

Children’s Centre Thunder Bay offers the Down Syndrome Parent Support Group to families with a child who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Monthly group meetings provide all family members with an opportunity to socialize with each other, and to discuss challenges, celebrate successes, and support one another.

Parents are given the opportunity to meet other parents of children with Down Syndrome, and to learn about parenting challenges specific to various stages of family life. Parents will also be able to share information, discuss related topics of interest, and become more aware of other resources in the community, as well as relevant fundraisers and special events.

Monthly meetings are held on Mondays from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., on a rotating schedule.

Communities Together for Children
Northwood Park Plaza - 425 Edward St. N.

Thunder Bay, ON

Families who wish to be a part of Down Syndrome Parent Support Group are required to be clients of Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. For more information, please call Children’s Centre Thunder Bay at 807-343-5000.