<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[ACYS Alternative Child and Youth Services ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Alternative Child and Youth Services (ACYS) is a non profit organization focused on early, consistent, and strengths-based support ]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:34:33 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Youth Development Activities Canada: Empowering the Next Generation]]></title><description><![CDATA[When children and youth are supported to grow, learn, and lead, they become the change-makers and leaders of tomorrow. When I think about the future, I see the incredible potential in every child and youth across Canada. Helping them grow into confident, capable, and engaged members of their communities is a responsibility we all share. One of the most effective ways to support this growth is through youth development activities that nurture their skills, resilience, and leadership abilities....]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/youth-development-activities-canada-empowering-the-next-generation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cbb7e2e7de3cb0060a58e5</guid><pubDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:53:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_35428e35c60f4c7b91f6c9535032f734~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Healthy Eating for Kids Is One of the Greatest Gifts You Can Give Them]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Alternative Child &#38; Youth Services (ACYS) As parents, we want the best for our children — in school, in relationships, and in life. One of the most powerful foundations we can give them starts right at the dinner table. Healthy eating for kids  isn't just about vegetables and balanced plates. It's about building a relationship with food that fuels their bodies, sharpens their minds, and shapes who they become. The earlier we start, the stronger that foundation grows. The Real Impact of...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/why-healthy-eating-for-kids-is-one-of-the-greatest-gifts-you-can-give-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69bf66a6cf14a7a450ce1d94</guid><pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:46:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/7143a08ad9dd4a80bbb568dae4fca508.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Children and Youth Can Use Art as a Natural Grounding Tool]]></title><description><![CDATA[When a child doesn't yet have the words to explain what they're feeling, the body holds onto it. Creative coping strategies for children and youth can provide a bridge between what's felt and what can be expressed. How Children and Youth Can Use Art as a Natural Grounding Tool Written by the ACYS Team  |  Skill-Building &#38; Emotional Wellness If you've ever watched a child pour themselves completely into a drawing — tongue out, marker in hand, fully absorbed — you've already seen grounding in...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/blog-art-as-grounding-tool-for-children-and-youth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a3ad189d34acb7c437cf12</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:05:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_e31876cfa1fa404486c7f34cb73cb8d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Before Solving the Problem, There’s Connection]]></title><description><![CDATA[Connection isn’t something you force. It’s something that emerges when you slow down first. Before Solving the Problem, There’s Connection Parenting often feels like a constant demand to respond quickly — to correct, redirect, teach, and manage behaviour. And when you’re tired, stretched thin, or juggling work and family life, that pressure can feel overwhelming. But behaviour doesn’t shift through instruction alone. It shifts through connection. When Parenting Feels Reactive Most parents...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/before-solving-the-problem-there-s-connection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69836b7b131f188df5614bf5</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:07:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_07360a4534dd4cfb9e76a194fdc2711b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Noticing Patterns in Parenting: The First Step to Shifting Your Energy]]></title><description><![CDATA[Parenting can feel like running a marathon every single day. Between work, household tasks, and your child or teen’s school, social, and emotional ups and downs, it’s exhausting. I know this because I live it too. Some nights, I walk in after a long day, and my teen's backpack is on the floor instead of put away. My other teen didn’t throw the garbage out like I asked. The kitchen is a disaster because both teens decided to make an after-school meal without cleaning up, and I still have to...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/parenting-burnout-emotional-regulation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697644495a89f12627875149</guid><pubDate>Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:51:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_fab269802ad34aa7a9dd0c9fa2c2de15~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[If Parenting Feels Heavy Right Now, You’re Not Doing It Wrong]]></title><description><![CDATA[Small, consistent steps help build resilience , reduce parenting stress , and strengthen parent-child relationships . If Parenting Feels Heavy Right Now, You’re Not Doing It Wrong Are you feeling parenting stress , struggling with your child’s behavior , or trying to get back to a “normal” routine? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doing it wrong. The holiday decorations are tucked away, the school bells are ringing, and the house has finally quieted down. By all accounts, life...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/if-parenting-feels-heavy-right-now-you-re-not-doing-it-wrong</link><guid isPermaLink="false">696cf2a3d26549f609c0ec08</guid><pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:13:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_2dc6d82932e44c7db0ef15eccfb21bbe~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_690,h_460,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Fresh Perspective on Growth: Supporting Children and Youth in 2026]]></title><description><![CDATA[By focusing on connection over correction , families create homes where children feel safe, understood, and empowered to grow. A Fresh Perspective on Growth: Supporting Children and Youth in 2026 with ACYS The start of a new year often brings lists of resolutions, rules, and expectations—focusing on “fixing” behaviors or pushing for change. At Alternative Child and Youth Services (ACYS) , we know that lasting growth rarely comes from pressure. True progress happens when children and youth...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/a-fresh-perspective-on-growth-supporting-children-and-youth-in-2026</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69581b0e564ad52a958f6bab</guid><pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:44:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_31e0d99a52414c58be52e45bb12ee972~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beyond the Couch: Why Dance Is the Secret Weapon for Your Child’s Mental Health]]></title><description><![CDATA[By Alternative Child and Youth Services (ACYS) When we think about boosting a child’s mental wellness, our minds often jump straight to clinical solutions: therapy sessions, deep talks, or classroom accommodations. These are vital, but what if one of the most powerful, joyful, and accessible tools is something your child already loves? We’re talking about movement.  Specifically, dance. At ACYS, we don't just view movement as physical activity; we see it as a somatic pathway —a direct...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/beyond-the-couch-why-dance-is-the-secret-weapon-for-your-child-s-mental-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691dc5a226d0d5c718e574b3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:42:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_5de98bace5774f11a8540d579986ceb0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_540,h_360,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Do I Know if My Teen Needs Professional Help or Just Extra Support at Home?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Deciding whether your teen needs extra support at home or professional help can feel challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/how-do-i-know-if-my-teen-needs-professional-help-or-just-extra-support-at-home</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d1a1340bf4ea1c491213fe</guid><pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:00:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_ec73d78ed13a4b12901f0b859db34e46~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: 3 Meaningful Ways to Act on September 30]]></title><description><![CDATA[Because every child truly matters. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: 3 Meaningful Ways to Act on September 30 "What does it mean...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-3-meaningful-ways-to-act-on-september-30</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68dbc7a39a4988ac5116f396</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:33:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_b97d9fdd1ee342e9a7c37cae6d1afbf9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Are Some Common Signs That My Teen Is Struggling With Their Mental Health?]]></title><description><![CDATA[As parents, it’s natural to wonder if what you’re seeing is “normal” or cause for concern. What Are Some Common Signs That My Teen Is...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/what-are-some-common-signs-that-my-teen-is-struggling-with-their-mental-health</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d18f0cf26d17d5daa9a5de</guid><pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:00:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_a9bbb3d7ac204dd1bed156c6312db078~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Supporting Your Teen Beyond the First Month Of Back To School. ]]></title><description><![CDATA[The real challenge comes after the initial excitement of a new school year fades. September is coming to a close, and the first month of...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/supporting-your-teen-beyond-the-first-month-of-back-to-school</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c8a48cd424f0454cc0e4d1</guid><pubDate>Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:09:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_5e6e2ac760584889976ef312c029c738~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Managing Teen Stress and Overwhelm as School Ramps Up.]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s not always easy to know when a teen is stressed. Sometimes the signs are subtle; other times, they are more obvious. The start of a...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/managing-teen-stress-and-overwhelm-as-school-ramps-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c898025892bef5c4ded755</guid><pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 01:09:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_cdeead323de4490f994d5dc5289ee412~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Keep the Back-to-School Excitement Alive]]></title><description><![CDATA[The first week of school is over. Keep that "fresh start" feeling going with our tips on staying motivated and celebrating small wins all ye]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/how-to-keep-the-back-to-school-excitement-alive</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bd926d8477921efdc1d449</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:41:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_49de20477d9e4179b249e12eaeeefcb0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_670,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Overwhelmed to Ready: A Guide for Teens on the First Day of High School ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity. From Overwhelmed to Ready: A Guide for Teens on the First Day of High School  You've...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/from-overwhelmed-to-ready-a-guide-for-teens-on-the-first-day-of-high-school</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a60f6e38144e410f949153</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:00:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_82121849dc004ad39849ecc9780755ff~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_493,h_260,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beyond the Pep Talk: Ways to Calm Your Teen on the First Day of High School ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Beyond the Pep Talk: Ways to Calm Your Teen on the First Day of High School  			 Instead of trying to "fix" their anxiety, your job is...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/beyond-the-pep-talk-ways-to-calm-your-teen-on-the-first-day-of-high-school</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a609888efa79f18afac7b9</guid><pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2025 01:00:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_29f372cc8d6a43579e88003ff16fa16f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_390,h_259,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[“Too Much. Too Loud. Too Strong.” — How We’re Misreading Black Teen Girls in 2025]]></title><description><![CDATA[Black girls deserve more than survival — they deserve room to grow, be seen, and feel whole on their own terms.  She’s Not “Too Much.”...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/too-much-too-loud-too-strong-how-we-re-misreading-black-teen-girls-in-2025</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688504bd53e1587dc0d74796</guid><pubDate>Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:00:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_d107938a837f4968be7ec2c531de178d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[“Boys Don’t Cry”: Why We’re Failing Teen Boys (And How We Can Do Better)]]></title><description><![CDATA["When we tell boys to 'man up,' we teach them to shut down. Mentorship gives them permission to feel, speak, and heal."  — Alternative...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/boys-don-t-cry-why-we-re-failing-teen-boys-and-how-we-can-do-better</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6884f827da93a095ba2828d6</guid><pubDate>Sat, 26 Jul 2025 16:06:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_a4001d5ef7d0455f8ed8e63a07459a41~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Surviving Summer Break with Structure (And Sanity)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s make this summer feel lighter. Summer’s here. School’s out, and if we’re being honest… the pressure is on. You want your kids to...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/surviving-summer-break-with-structure-and-sanity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">684c20b427a8bd11cbac5d58</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:10:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_f2fc0df3cf5c4a29a7ec5b2ec120cae4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking the Silence: Mental Health in the Black Community ]]></title><description><![CDATA[You’re allowed to heal. You’re allowed to feel. You’re allowed to get help. For generations, we’ve been told to stay quiet. Told to...]]></description><link>https://acyservices.wixsite.com/acys/post/breaking-the-silence-mental-health-in-the-black-community</link><guid isPermaLink="false">684c1a60a1ac45b61e805e66</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:55:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f490c_13ba31da71834484acacafee2654f4cc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alternative Child and Youth Services </dc:creator></item></channel></rss>