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365 days a year, Rossbrook House opens the doors to provide a safe place for children and youth, and for the next two months, the hours will be extended.
On June 27, Rossbrook House kicks off 24-hour summer programming. "We have staff continually coming in that are able to ensure that kids have what they need,it could be a meal, snacks or hygiene items. It could be just there to have fun with their friends," Patty Mainville, Executive Director said.
Throughout the summer, Rossbrook House has different outings planned. "We have camp for older ones. In July and August, we have daytime events, so it's fun being able to bring kids out to activities that they wouldn't normally be able to experience, something as simple as Birds Hill Park or going swimming, there's various activities that happen every day of the summer to engage our kids, to ensure that they're safe."
Being able to offer a safe place for kids and youth from ages six through 24, remains the top priority for Mainville. "Sometimes our homes may not be the safest place to be. So it's a place for them to come and leave that all at the door and just be kids and have that opportunity to play."
Being open 24 hours a day, allows Rossbrook House to be a safe place for children and youth, whether it's at 2 a.m. or 12 p.m. "We definitely do not want them on the street. We'd rather them be in a safe place where we know that they'll be taken care of. We open our doors to any children and they may even just come in and want to play games through the night."
Many of the staff are able to connect and relate to the kids and youth being served. "About 95% of our staff were participants, so they know the impact they make in the lives of our children and youth, and they know the work that they do is important."
While Rossbrook House had an impact on Mainville's life in the past, it's been a highlight to see the continued impact. "Seeing the continuity of the programming that we have because we know that it works and we know that supporting our kids in various ways and connecting with them while providing them those safe spaces to grow."