YMCA of Eastern Ontario Expands Back on Track Program to Brockville News Release

   
YMCA of Eastern Ontario team members (from left to right): Tari Pyke, Youth Worker; Rob Adams, CEO; Becky Mirault, Supervisor, Community Impact Programs.

Brockville, ON – The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is expanding its Back on Track program, formerly known as Alternate Suspension, to Brockville beginning October 1, 2025. Delivered in partnership with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, the program will serve students from six local schools in grades 7 to 12 who would benefit from the additional supports provided by the program.  
  
Back on Track provides a 3-to-5-day growth-focused alternative to suspension. Instead of sitting out at home, students complete schoolwork, join in recreation and life-skill activities, and receive one-on-one mentoring from YMCA youth workers. Working with teachers and families, the program helps students reflect on challenges, build autonomy, and set positive goals.

Early results from the YMCA of Eastern Ontario’s other location, where the program is offered in partnership with Limestone District School Board and Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, show strong success: 78% of youth did not require a second referral, and attendance rates are over 90%. In addition, some students have even gone on to volunteer with the YMCA, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in promoting positive engagement and fostering stronger community connections.  

 

Thanks to the continued partnership with Scotiabank through ScotiaRISE, the expansion of the Back on Track program will begin with the following six schools identified by the School Board: St. Mary Catholic High School, St. Luke Catholic High School, St. Michael Catholic High School, St. Mark, St. Joseph - Gananoque and St. Joseph – Toledo. The YMCA remains committed to expanding Back on Track and is open to new partnerships with other school boards to broaden its impact.
  
“At the YMCA, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and feel supported,” said Rob Adams, CEO of YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “Back on Track offers students a chance to reflect, reset, and return to school with new skills, tools and confidence. The YMCA is excited to introduce this program in Brockville to help youth, families, and schools create strong foundations for success.”  
  
“We are proud to partner with the YMCA on the Back on Track program,” said Tracy O’Brien, Superintendent of School Effectiveness, Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario. “This collaboration provides students with a supportive environment where they can stay connected to their education while developing their social and emotional skills to thrive in school and beyond.”
  

 
Rob Adams
CEO, YMCA of Eastern Ontario

About the YMCA Eastern Ontario  
The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is a charity that is passionate about creating opportunities and advancing the well-being of the communities we serve. The YMCA does this by developing healthy and successful people who in turn create a positive impact in their neighborhoods. The Y is Ontario’s largest non-profit provider of childcare with trademarked curricula. It offers fitness, aquatics and other specialized programs including Work Hard Eat Well, Total Life Care, the Student Impact Program and others. www.eo.ymca.ca  
  
For media inquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact:  
 
Anna Hudson  
Executive Assistant 
YMCA Eastern Ontario 
anna.hudson@eo.ymca.ca 
613-342-7961