South Delta's Little House Society is offering a free workshop this week aimed at helping local youths who have a family member who is struggling with addiction.
Heart of a Child is one-day session for teens and young adults who have a parent, grandparent or sibling currently struggling with an addiction, or is now in recovery.
Little House president Jim Stimson said the workshop is aimed at giving young people in this situation new coping skills to help deal with it, as well as to help them not go down the same road. He said that children who grow up in a household with an addicted family member are at a higher risk of developing an addiction as well.
"They are wounded children," Stimson said. "You can't grow up in a substance abuse household... and not be wounded."
This is the first time the Little House has offered Heart of a Child but the society has had success with its Heart of a Mother sessions, which started in 2011.
The upcoming workshop aims to give young people in this situation a better understanding of the disease of addiction and the impact it can have on families. It will also cover the need for personal healing and what that looks like, skills for improving emotional wellbeing and healthy communication skills.
Heart of a Child, which runs Sunday, July 14, is facilitated by Janine Nowacka.
Nowacka has 10 years of experience as an addictions counselor and has worked with teens and families.
She currently works at the Cedars at Cobblehill Treatment facility on Vancouver Island where she co-facilitates the residential family program.
The session is free of charge and runs 9: 30 a.m. until 4 p.m. at The Little House (5061-12th Ave., Tsawwwassen).
Space is limited. For more information, or to register, call 778-278-5755 or email [email protected].
