The Recreation Outreach Centre (ROC) is a non-profit youth centre located in Picton, the heart of Prince Edward County that takes a holistic approach to healthy youth development. Our facility includes a Gymnasium, Computer Lab, Arcade, Homework Club, Drama Club and Craft Room. We provide special workshops for children and youth to gain valuable communication and employability skills and deal with important social issues that today?s youth face.
The ROC opened its doors in 2000 to address the needs of the youth in our community. Many of our youth today are "at risk" in terms of their involvement with drugs and alcohol, vandalism, and delinquency. Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment where youth have a place to socialize and an opportunity to participate in organized activities where they will develop valuable life skills to ensure success in the future.
We believe in an asset-based approach to the healthy development of our community?s children and youth. We believe that the positive experiences that children and youth receive from the people and institutions in their lives will provide them with the support they need to make positive choices, build relationships and succeed in life.
The ROC encourages growth through a commitment to learning and experiencing recreational activities in a non-threatening environment. The ultimate goal of our facility is to help our children and youth realize their potential as individuals and provide them with the skills and confidence to take responsibility for the decisions that will affect their future. We strive to provide them with constructive, enriching opportunities to explore who they are and who they wish to become in a safe and caring environment.
We currently partner with local community agencies such as Children?s Mental Health, Prince Edward Community Living, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington Social Services and Prince Edward Child Care Services to name just a few.
Our funding for programming and staff has come from sources such as the National Crime Prevention's Community Mobilization Program, Human Resources Development Canada, Trillium Foundation, National Child Benefit, United Way of Quinte, Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, Reynolds Trucking Service, Davin Corporation, Rotary Club and other local businesses and individuals. We are very appreciative of this support, nonetheless there is an ongoing need for operational funds and we must call on our community for assistance in this area.
