Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services

06/05/2026

Woodview staff and clients across Halton, Brantford, and Hamilton, are proud to get into the spirit of Pride Month! 🌈

💙Wearing the colours of the Progress Pride flag, staff and clients came together to celebrate the launch of a month filled with visibility, inclusion, and community.

💛Pride is a time for joy and celebration, and it is also a time for meaningful action to advance the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

💚At Woodview, we are proud to stand in support, today and every day.

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06/04/2026

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to honour and learn from the rich histories, cultures, traditions, and enduring resilience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

🧡It is also an important moment for reflection, to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization and to consider how each of us can contribute to meaningful reconciliation.

💙At Woodview, we are committed to honouring Indigenous History Month throughout June by sharing resources with staff to support ongoing learning, awareness, and reflection.

Start learning more today by exploring and listening directly to Indigenous voices:
📚 Read books by Indigenous authors
🎤 Attend local events and community gatherings
🎬 Watch films and performances
🎶 Listen to music by Indigenous artists
📱 Follow First Nations, Inuit, and Métis creators on social media

Together, let us celebrate, learn, and reflect.



🔗Credit: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1466616436543/1534874922512

06/03/2026

📰 Art Avenue 2 is making headlines! We're thrilled to see this youth-led exhibition and the talented artists behind it in the spotlight!

🎨 A special shout-out to Youth Force Halton project lead Issyie, who spoke so eloquently about youth mental health, creative expression, and the importance of giving young people opportunities to share their experiences through art.

🎉 Congratulations to all of the artists who contributed their work and stories! Your voices matter, and our community is listening.

Art Avenue 2 continues at The Hub (next to Cogeco), Burlington Centre until Friday (June 5). Stop by and see the exhibition for yourself anytime from 1 PM to 9 PM.

06/02/2026

🎨 What an incredible opening night for Art Avenue 2! The walls of The Hub at Burlington Centre came alive with creativity, courage, and powerful stories as young artists and their families gathered to celebrate this youth-led art exhibition.

A huge congratulations to Youth Force Halton, who took the lead in planning and organizing the event. Through the process, youth developed leadership skills, confidence, and real-world event planning experience, supported by their adult allies, Kristen and Steve.

Woodview's Director of Services, Christine Dragojlovich, spoke about the importance of youth engagement and how Art Avenue reflects Woodview's commitment to amplifying youth voices, fostering community connection, and promoting mental wellness.

Youth lead Issyie closed the evening with a heartfelt reflection on how art helps young people express their emotions, experiences, and wellbeing. Their leadership was on full display throughout the event, right down to organizing art supply prize packs for winners in each age category!

We were thrilled to welcome so many artists, families, and community members, including Jolieth Allen from Escarpment View Public School, whose Grade 7 and 8 students contributed an incredible 14 pieces of artwork to the show!

The artwork and artist statements were thoughtful, moving, and deeply meaningful. Many guests spent time reading each story and connecting with the experiences behind the art.

A special shout-out goes to Steve Kovar, Outreach Worker and longtime supporter of youth engagement in Halton. Steve quietly works behind the scenes, and this year he custom-built every frame in the exhibition to help showcase the artists' work beautifully❣️

We were also pleased to welcome back Calum O'Malley from BurlingtonToday, who spent time interviewing several of the young artists.

Missed opening night? There's still time!

🖼️ Art Avenue 2 is open daily from 1 PM to 9 PM until Friday, June 5 at The Hub, Burlington Centre. Stop by and explore more than 30 pieces of original artwork created by children, youth, and adults from our community.

💙 Show these talented artists some love in the comments below!

06/01/2026

Art Avenue 2 is open! Join us tonight at Burlington Centre as opening night celebrations begin at 6 PM! 🎨Come see the artwork, meet the artists, and celebrate creativity in our community.

05/31/2026

🦆 Tomorrow’s the day! 😃 Starting Monday, June 1 at 6:00 AM, you can adopt your duck for the DuckFest 2026 Rubber Duck Race in support of Woodview!

Adopt a duck. Support local mental health, autism, and developmental services. And get ready to cheer your duck across the finish line!

Only 3,000 ducks are available:

🎟️ 1 duck for $5
🎟️ 5 ducks for $20
🏆 Prizes: $1,800, $900 and $300

On Sunday, July 12 at 12:00 PM, 3,000 rubber ducks will be released into the Grand River and race toward the finish line at Brant’s Crossing Park.

💦 Let’s make a splash for children, youth, adults, and families in our community.

Adopt your duck starting tomorrow at www.duckfest.ca

Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.
Lottery License .

Things are getting ducky downtown!

🦆💛

Annette, Executive Director of the Downtown Brantford BIA, and Flora, Executive Director of Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services, are ready to make a splash!

DuckFest is all about community, connection, and having fun for a great cause. Downtown Brantford BIA is proud to help bring people into the heart of our city for a weekend of family-friendly fun, while supporting the important work Woodview does for children, youth, adults, and families through mental health and autism services.

And here’s the big news… ducks for the Rubber Duck Race on Sunday, July 12 will be available for adoption starting this Monday, June 1 at 6:00 a.m.! We only have 3000 available, 1 for $5 or 5 for $20 - Lottery License # RAF1548989 🦆

Adopt your duck, cheer it on, and be part of something special right here in Downtown Brantford.

Link in the comments.

Let’s adopt all of the ducks, support a great local organization, and show some love for Downtown Brantford.

Who’s ready to talk ducky?

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05/30/2026

🌿 Woodview’s new outdoor therapeutic space is nearly complete, and we are getting closer to welcoming children, youth, and staff into this brand-new space in early June.

On Friday, we were pleased to welcome Lisa Parsons, representative for MPP Will Bouma, George Santos from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, John and his team from Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, Woodview leadership, our Board Chair, staff, and guests to celebrate this exciting milestone!

Thanks to a $189,000 capital grant from the Ontario government, Woodview is creating a new inclusive, nature-based outdoor space to support youth mental health and autism programs in Brantford.

The space will include learning pods, group circles, shaded seating, sensory-focused instruments, creative installations, and natural features that support emotional regulation, social connection, communication, creative expression, and leadership skill-building.

It's going to be a gorgeous addition to our Park Road North location - we can’t wait to see children and youth begin using this sensory-rich space to connect, explore, and build important skills in a new way.

Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Ontario for helping make this meaningful project possible. 💚

05/29/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Rylie Dreise! 🎓 Today, we were honoured to present the 5th annual Jen Brown Memorial Scholarship Award to Rylie during a special ceremony in Brantford.

💫 This $1,500 scholarship recognizes a Woodview youth who demonstrates resilience, personal growth, and a commitment to their wellbeing while working toward their future goals. Rylie’s application stood out for her thoughtful reflection on overcoming obstacles and her determination to persevere.

The scholarship honours the legacy of Jen Brown, a beloved Woodview staff member who dedicated her life to helping others achieve their dreams.

Sherri Dockree, Board Chair, presented the award to Rylie, alongside her mom and members of the Woodview team.

It was also lovely to welcome Lorraine Jeffrey, retired Woodview Director, who joined us to help honour Jen’s lasting legacy!

👏 Congratulations, Rylie! We're so proud of you and wish you all the best in your next chapter.

05/28/2026

💙 Thankful Thursday!
We’re feeling grateful for a generous donation from a past client, whose life-changing journey with Woodview has inspired both their giving spirit and their academic path.

This kindness will make a difference for many of the children and youth we serve ✨