Mental Health Programs

Rainbows is an international not-for profit program that fosters emotional healing among children, youth and adults grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis and transition in their family. The curriculum is designed to assist people who are grieving a death, divorce or any other painful transition in their family within a safe, supportive environment with a unique peer assisted program.

Our trained volunteers facilitate these programs in numerous community sites throughout the southwestern New Brunswick and surrounding area.

Rainbows is also offered at many schools in Saint John and at schools from Sussex to St. Stephen. Contact us today to find out if Rainbows is offered at your child’s school.

Rainbows Facilitators are trained volunteers utilizing age-appropriate curriculum for children and teens ages 3 – 18. Our trained volunteers are certified to facilitate these programs at accredited sites in Saint John, Grand Bay-Westfield, Rothesay, Quispamsis, Hampton, Kingston, Norton, Springfield, Sussex, Apohaqui, St. Andrews, St. George, St. Stephen and Grand Manan.

The YMCA offers the following RAINBOWS programs during the school year in numerous community sites throughout southwestern New Brunswick and surrounding area.:

SunBeams – Preschool children
Children ages 3 – 4 have an opportunity to grieve the loss in their family and develop appropriate coping skills for life. The process involves weekly meetings with a trained Facilitator in small groups of no more than five children.

Rainbows – Elementary and Middle school children
Elementary-aged children speak about their feelings and share their grief in a safe environment in small group settings. The groups are led by trained facilitators utilizing age-appropriate materials.

• Level 1 – 5 to 6 years
• Level 2 – 7 to 8 years
• Level 3 – 9 to 11 years
• Level 4 – 12 to 14 years

Spectrum – Youth & Teenagers
Teens share feelings and thoughts about their loss with others their own age who are experiencing similar life changing events.

Adult Community Based Programs:
Kaleidoscope – Adults with recent or childhood loss
Prism – Single and Step-parents
Silver Linings – Community Crisis Response

For more information, complete the contact form below to connect with our Rainbows Coordinator, Ashely Doiron at a.doiron@saintjohny.ca