policy is public

While we continue to make every effort to operate “outside the cage”, 21 Pines Restorative Education Centre is committed to protecting the privacy of all of our participants. In addition to abiding by policy directives on privacy laws governed by the OASW and OCSWSSW, 21 Pines Restorative Education Centre is also committed to building internal policies and procedures based on virtues - regardless of how far off the path society has strayed. The following template is an evolving process of how we plan to accomplish this:

Acceptance:

Acceptance is the number one ingredient required to achieve a perceived sense of safety. This organization strives to demonstrate unconditional positive regard & acceptance for all of our participants. Any rejecting or judgemental behaviour demonstrated towards another member of our community will be addressed in a cohesive, restorative manner.

assertiveness:

Assertiveness skills flourish when the condition of fear is removed from the equation of one’s actions. This organization recognizes ‘mistakes’ as a valued necessity towards all pathways of success, and by instilling this virtue in our members, shyness and self-doubt transcend. We encourage and teach our participants to assert their genuine selves via non-aggressive communication, artistic and musical expression and/or physical activity.

Authenticity:

This organization seeks to nurture the authentic spirits of each and every student. Teaching children How to think, as opposed to What to think is our basic methodology to inspiring our youth to grow into their unique and authentic selves.

Beauty:

While beauty is known to belong to the eye of the beholder, “ugly” is as well. 21 Pines members are encouraged to embrace the beauty which exists in each moment, and each individual, regardless of how things appear. Cosmetic beauty is not something that is highly valued, as all people, circumstances and places have the potential to be beautiful.

Caring:

The concept of “Care” is not only one of the core elements of Child & Youth Practice, it is also enacted in how this organizing body choses to embrace our clients. Caring is recognizing the personal responsibility that co-exists in the therapist/client relationship, and nurturing that with expressed boundaries in place.

Cleanliness:

While 21 Pines must meet all corners of all local Health & Safety bylaws, cleanliness isn’t specifically valued over fun. That being said, additional efforts will be made to ensure that we aren’t spawning viruses primarily by being outdoors in the fresh air, and also ensuring the proper sanitization of common areas such as washroom facilities & seating.

Commitment:

21 Pines seeks to foster an environment of commitment to keep therapy real, affordable and compassionate. To achieve consistency, we are committed to offering appointments in 6-12 weekly sessions for those committed to positive growth. For those who suit a more sporadic therapy schedule, we are committed to remaining flexible to walk you through life’s hurdles. Our commitment to you is as valued as your commitment to us, therefore please let us know asap if you need to reschedule!

Compassion:

Compassion is exemplified by sympathetic consciousness towards another persons distress, and providing meaningful conversation is how this will be demonstrated. We never ask “What’s wrong”, but “What happened?”…

Creativity:

21 Pines REC is determined to keep the creative juices flowing by offering therapy and therapeutic programming which elicit inspiring minds. No idea is considered “too far outside the cage”, and all ideas will be received and considered from an Open-knowledge stance - we invite you to do the same!

Dignity:

Here at 21 Pines REC, all living things deserve honour & respect, including ourselves. Dignity can be viewed as an inward act of self-love, as well as an outward gesture towards others. Egotistical acts which hinder another’s sense of dignity and belonging will be addressed in a manner which aims to elevate the dignity of both the offender & the offended. All are welcome and granted equal dignity.

Ethical:

This organization operates under the ethical standards of practice outlined by the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers.

OCSWSSW Code of Ethics

1. A social worker or social service worker shall maintain the best interest of the client as the primary professional obligation;

2. A social worker or social service worker shall respect the intrinsic worth of the persons she or he serves in her or his professional relationships with them;

3. A social worker or social service worker shall carry out her or his professional duties and obligations with integrity and objectivity;

4. A social worker or social service worker shall have and maintain competence in the provision of a social work or social service work service to a client;

5. A social worker or social service worker shall not exploit the relationship with a client for personal benefit, gain or gratification;

6. A social worker or social service worker shall protect the confidentiality of all professionally acquired information. He or she shall disclose such information only when required or allowed by law to do so, or when clients have consented to disclosure;

7. A social worker or social service worker who engages in another profession, occupation, affiliation or calling shall not allow these outside interests to affect the social work or social service work relationship with the client;

8. A social worker or social service worker shall not provide social work or social service work services in a manner that discredits the profession of social work or social service work or diminishes the public’s trust in either profession;

9. A social worker or social service worker shall advocate for workplace conditions and policies that are consistent with this Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers;

10. A social worker or social service worker shall promote excellence in his or her respective profession;

11. A social worker or social service worker shall advocate change in the best interest of the client, and for the overall benefit of society, the environment and the global community.

For more information on our regulated governing bodies, please visit the following links:

https://oacyc.org/code-of-ethics/

https://www.ocswssw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Code-of-Ethics-and-Standards-of-Practice-September-7-2018.pdf

https://www.ocswssw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/OCSWSSW-Children-Youth-Guide-2014-E-v3.pdf

Forgiveness:

Forgiveness is not forgetting or disregarding harm done, but rather disengaging from the power which feelings of anger & bitterness may evoke. Forgiveness is not possible without understanding the context of one’s actions, and repentance is not possible without understanding the harm which actions may have caused.

Hope:

According to Vaclav Havel, “Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that it makes sense, regardless of the outcome.” When ‘Hope’ feels like a lost virtue, we’ll help you navigate towards finding . Need we say more? Nope!

Honour:

This organization would like to honour the fact that we reside and operate on the traditonal territory of the Anishinabewaki, Haudenosaunee, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), Mississauga, & Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Integrity:

Here at 21 Pines, we actively understand Integrity as “doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.” By attempting to demonstrate a business based on integral values , we rise above the traditional healing silos and take our healing to the farm silos. At this organization, we are committed to doing the right thing especially if no one is looking.

Love:

The underestimated value of Love’s presence within social service sectors remains a large motivating factor for the ongoing development of 21 Pines REC. In the perpetually underestimated field of Child and Youth Care practice, Love is witnessed as the expression of unconditional positive regard for others, throughout every display of challenging behaviour that may manifest. We strive to communicate this dimension of Love during our therapeutic sessions.

Modesty:

This organization does not believe in policing participants choice in attire for the sake of upholding the virtue of Modesty. When the topic of Modesty becomes a suggested concern to be managed by way of assigned dress codes, then this organization will be examining the bigger concern: Who are we presenting ourselves “modestly” for and for what purpose? Our programs require all participants to wear clothing that they feel comfortable in. Period.

Patience:

Patience is both an act of faith & trust in how each one of our journey’s along our life path leads to a greater good. 21 Pines practices this virtue by fostering an understanding that life is a process, not an event, and having patience is an essential part of success.

Peace:

Here at 21 Pines, we know that achieving inner tranquility is a necessary first step towards radiating outer peace and we are happy to walk with you as you seek a peaceful solution to whatever your challenge may be. Peace in, Peace out!

Wisdom:

This organization acknowledges the following principles pertaining to wisdom:

1. The wisest people are those who claims to know nothing.

2. Ego is the ultimate pesticide to knowledge, and

3. An open-knowledge stance is the most successful way to achieve intelligence.

WONDER:

Have you ever wondered why “a child’s sense of wonder” is never translated to “an adult’s sense of wonder” ? We wonder how we can help you get back in touch with your inner wonders.