Established in 1970, Huron House has served the Sarnia-Lambton community for over 50 years. Initially founded as a safe and structured refuge for troubled teenage boys, it has evolved significantly over the years. Today, it stands as a dedicated children’s mental health live-in treatment centre, with the overarching goals of our programs aimed at fostering community engagement, educational achievement, positive transformation, and personal responsibility. Throughout its history, Huron House has made a profound impact, helping more than 1,500 boys navigate towards a brighter future, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to nurturing the potential within each young individual it serves.
Our Mission
We provide opportunities for adolescent boys to make positive changes in their lives in a safe and structured environment by developing programming and services to meet their complex needs.
Our Vision
As a leader in the field of adolescent care, we will provide every youth the opportunity to become a contributing member of the community through the designing, developing and delivering of targeted programs and services.
Quality of Service
Huron House is proud to be a fully accredited member agency of Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO). We are deeply committed to the values and mission of CMHO, striving to ensure that every child and young person has access to the mental health treatment they require.
Should you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding our service quality, we encourage you to reach out. Your feedback is invaluable to us, as it aligns with our goal to provide the highest standard of care and treatment to every child and family we support.
Philosophy
At Huron House, our core philosophy is centred on the belief that the youth in our care must be respected and accepted as individuals endowed with positive attributes and potential. We hold that as these young individuals overcome the obstacles imposed by their environments, they discover an internal drive toward growth and self-actualization. Once barriers are removed and replaced with problem-solving skills, they are better equipped to make significant progress in life.
While acknowledging that substantial advancements are unlikely during brief stays, we believe that over time, through consistent support and role modelling, transformative change is possible and valuable learning experiences can emerge. Our staff team understands the importance of engaging with youth in ways that reflect the behaviours we hope to instill. This approach to role modelling is profoundly influential and constitutes a significant component of the educational experience.
Goals
The overarching goals of our programs are to foster community engagement, educational achievement, positive transformation, and personal responsibility.
Accreditation
Huron House proudly holds accreditation from Children’s Mental Health Ontario, affirming our status as a dedicated children’s mental health facility. Achieving this accreditation requires us to undergo a thorough evaluation by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation every four years, with our most recent review taking place in 2024. We are honoured to have earned this distinction, reflecting our commitment to excellence in serving the mental health needs of children.
Our Team & Board of Directors
Transition Team
- Executive Director: Mike McGill
- Program Manager: Andy Mackay
- Intake & Assessment Coordinator: Brooke Kyte
- Accounting Manager: Deb Kroening
Support Staff
- Fundraising & Events Coordinator: Denise McMillan
- Administrative Assistant:
- Accounting Clerk: Angie Dobson
- Kitchen Manager: Michelle Vandenheuvel
- Maintenance: Jim Lucas
Front Line Staff
- Jake Brownlee
- Brian Clarke
- Teja Chartrand
- Olivia Cordeiro
- Amy Davis
- Riley De Marco
- Justin Dewhirst
- Jacklyn Dykema
- Hillary Elder
- Daniel Greaves
- Lauren Harding
- Nikki Jackson
- Alaina Kerwin
- Karen Machan
- Roxanne McBride
- Jordan McKibbin
- Rachel McGrath
- Hannah Mitchell
- Daniel Moorey
- Peyton Munday
- Saydie Mulder
- Ashley Rochon
- Jonathon Sanderson
- Stephanie Shackleton
- Joe Stinson
- Ryan Stuart
- Cody Taylor
- Ashley Tegaz
- Kaitlin Thomson
- Darcey Toffoli-Turk
- Shawn Turner
- Becky Vanderwal
- Brooklyn Want
- Joel Withrow
- Tyler Whetham-Trombley
Operating Board of Directors
- President: Bert Phills
- Vice-President: Jim Crawford
- Treasurer: Jim Crawford
- Secretary: Shannon Vokes
- Inter Board Liaison: Shannon Vokes
- Members-at-Large
- Brittany Budziewicz
- Terry Doyle
- Nathan Jeffrey
- Mark Taylor
Foundation Board of Directors
- President: Rob Longo
- Vice President: Jamie Carson
- Treasurer: Petter Norris
- Secretary: Vacant
- Inter Board Liaison: Shannon Vokes
- Members-at-Large
- Mackenzie Vozza
- Andrew Whitton
- Rob Murray
Our Facilities & Therapeutic Projects
Huron House is immensely grateful for the generous financial and material support from the Sarnia-Lambton community, enabling us to offer beautifully designed indoor facilities and innovative outdoor therapeutic projects. Our indoor spaces include a music room, art room, theatre, games room, and a gym featuring an open-concept workout area. Outdoors, our therapeutic specialty projects, such as Project Chicken, the Therapy Garden, and the Christmas Tree Farm, provide unique, hands-on experiences that contribute significantly to the holistic development and healing of the youth in our care. These facilities and projects not only enrich our program offerings but also ensure a nurturing and stimulating environment for every resident.
Parents Perspective
Thank you is not enough for all, each and every one of you has done for my son Aiden, my family and myself.
As I sit reflecting the past two plus years, I find myself experiencing all the emotions I have felt not in a bad way but in a retrospective way. This makes me proud to say that during the journey we were on, it was although hard at times, have been the most rewarding I have experienced with my son.
I am also proud to tell people that my son was a part of your family for two years and can attest to the fact that nothing was spared while he was a part of the home. You all worked very hard and diligently at each of your jobs with integrity, respect, tough love and with a sense of caring that goes beyond your call to duty.
There were times that I must admit I lost hope, but no matter who I talked to, I was given support, advice and reassurance to know that Aiden was following the course that all boys follow as he journeyed with you. For that I will be forever grateful.
I want to give you an update as well. Aiden and I are a family of two who respect, support and regard each other as mother and son but also friends. He has developed routines at home that are positive and let me let him have his wings within guidelines that are good for his personality and living within a household. You taught us that.
Aiden has a beautiful connection with his grandparents now. With this he knows he has the love and support he needs whenever he needs it. You taught him that. Aiden continues to have small struggles in school but has been proactive in keeping in touch with teachers to keep his head in the game. You taught him that.
Aiden respects himself on a level that is appropriate for his age and continues to surprise me every day as he grows and matures. You taught him that.
Although Aiden still has struggles and is with a counselor every week, he is slowly still taking the lessons on patience and walking away to heart and mostly tries to utilize this. You taught him that. I know it’s been a few months since Aiden’s departure but every time I think of the home or talk about it to someone, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment, gratitude and am so thankful you held onto him for the whole two years.
Finally, I want you to read what Aiden had to say before he left.
“It took two years of pain and hardship…I battled with substance abuse, depression and self-harm… And I looked at all of it and said I can do better…I worked hard for myself and changed for the better…Thank you for letting me have the chance…Goodbye Huron House Boys Home.”
Thank you again for our journey,
Sandra