Programs/Services

Hera embraces a therapeutic, relationship-focused approach to help 13 to 17-year-old girls and their families develop skills, re-examine their lives and move forward in their lives in a positive direction. Our goal is to build the resiliency of girls and their families. We offer full-service programming and outreach services.

Full Service includes Experiential Learning (group instruction and 1:1 youth work), In-Home Family Support, Therapy, Mentoring, and a Unique Educational Program.

Outreach includes Experiential Learning (1:1 youth work), In-Home Family Support, Therapy, and Mentoring.

Experiential Learning

Girls take part in volunteerism, social action activities and outdoor experiential education. The goal of Experiential Learning is to enhance healthy connections, to strengthen the girls' self-confidence and promote healthy risk-taking. Girls also learn important life skills such as empathy and communication, planning, and budgeting.

In-Home Family Support

Hera provides an in-home support service that works with girls and their families. This service focuses on teaching families effective problem solving strategies, parenting, communication, crisis management and other skills that strengthen family functioning. It also serves to help families increase their use of available community resources. Our family support workers meet with the girls and their families on a weekly basis to explore and mediate issues that might be contributing to challenges within the home, school or community. In-home family support remains an important adjunct to therapy services and is key in Hera's provision of holistic service.

Mentoring

This service allows girls to be matched with a responsible, positive adult woman who commits to spending a minimum of three hours per week for at least one year with a girl. Mentoring is an optional component of service and can include in-classroom support as well as one-to-one mentoring in the community. Volunteers are screened, assessed and trained before being matched with girls, and are provided with ongoing supervision to ensure quality of service.

Therapy

Our therapy component offers individual, family and group therapy to girls at Hera. A qualified therapist(s) is available on site and uses a creative and dynamic approach to deal with issues as identified by each girl. Group therapy focuses on building trust, developing appropriate boundaries and building self esteem. The goal of the therapeutic component of Hera is to empower the girl and her family in the context of a supportive, non-judgmental counseling relationship. Our therapy is confidential, relationship-focused and is individually tailored to the needs of the girls and their families.

Unique Educational Program

Girls who require and are eligible for Hera's specialized academic support may also access the Unique Educational Program. This is an individualized academic program designed to address learning gaps and assist the girl in acquiring the skills and attitudes that would enable her to transition back into a regular school program or work placement. This component is offered by the Calgary Board of Education and operates on a modified calendar year.