YMCA Pilots Alternative Suspensions Program in Medicine Hat

March 2, 2022, MEDICINE HAT, AB: The YMCA of Medicine Hat launched a new program on March 1 st. The program has been offered by YMCAs across the country for more than 22 years and provides an alternative to traditional at home suspensions. Students serve their suspension within the program where they participate in psychoeducational and life skills programming. The goal of the program is to reduce future suspensions by building the student’s knowledge, skills, and confidence while actively supporting them in their return to school. The program will be piloted with the Medicine Hat Public School Division for the remainder of the school year. Once piloted successfully, the YMCA will explore program expansion to serve other local school divisions in 2022-2023.

“We are excited to bring the Alternative Suspension Program to Medicine Hat,” says Sharon Hayward, CEO, “At the YMCA, we believe in the potential of youth. The Alternative Suspension Program builds on each student’s strengths and breaks the cycle of repeated suspensions.”

The program is located in the YMCA Employment Centre at 770 1st Street SE. Youth within the Medicine Hat Public School Division who are suspended for 3 days or more will have the opportunity to join this program.