Joanna Conrad

09/02/2026

Teen dating violence isn’t only a violence problem — it’s a relationship education problem.

Our Executive Director, Joanna Conrad, joined AM800 today to talk about teen dating violence — and why these conversations need to begin long before a young person finds themselves in an unhealthy relationship.

Young people are navigating relationships in a very different environment: social media, constant digital access, po*******hy, sexualized content and changing expectations around dating and intimacy all influence what they may come to see as “normal.”

We need to be talking with young people about more than simply saying no. We need to teach consent, boundaries, respect, healthy intimacy, digital behaviour and what it means to be a healthy partner.

We need to raise young people who can recognize an unhealthy relationship — but we also need to raise young people who know how to be healthy partners.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation on AM800 CKLW (link below)

08/04/2026

Youth Diversion is hosting a virtual information session on Extrajudicial Sanctions (EJS) for Crown counsel, defence counsel, duty counsel, court personnel, and other interested justice professionals.

Learn how EJS eligibility, referrals, individualized sanctions, completion, confidentiality, and court outcomes work in practice.

Two session options—the same presentation will be offered at both:

Lunch & Learn - August 19, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Evening session - August 19, 2026 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Virtual through Google Meet (provided upon registration)
Register: https://forms.gle/p6qZMfEGM9CkBLKS7

Please share this opportunity with anyone in your professional network who may benefit.

07/29/2026

Be the Difference. Become a Youth Diversion Volunteer.

One conversation can change a life.

Youth Diversion has been supporting youth in Windsor-Essex for over 45 years—and we’re looking for volunteers to help make a difference.

Whether you’re mentoring, supporting programs, or helping at events, your time can have a real impact.

We’re looking for compassionate, positive, and community-minded people who want to help youth build confidence, make positive choices, and create brighter futures.

Volunteer opportunities include:
- Youth programs & workshops
- Community events & fundraising
- Office & administrative support

What you’ll gain:
- Meaningful experience
- Training & skill development
- Community connections
- The chance to change a young person’s life

Ready to help?

📧 [email protected]
📞 519-253-3340

07/24/2026

07/23/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to the Axemen MC Windsor—made up of active and retired firefighters—for selecting the Essex County Youth Diversion Program as the beneficiary of their End of Summer Party! ❤️

Join us on September 12 at JJ’s Roadhouse for an evening of live music, great food, prizes, and community, all while supporting local youth. We hope to see you there! 🏍️🎶

07/23/2026

Why are teens resorting to vandalism?

Our Executive Director, Joanna Conrad, joined AM800’s Kyle Horner Show this morning to discuss the recent rise in youth vandalism, what may be driving it, and the role parents and communities play in prevention.

One statistic from the Essex County Diversion Program highlights why this conversation matters:

21% of youth referred to our program over the past year were referred for vandalism-related offences.

While accountability is essential, prevention starts long before a young person enters the justice system. Building connection, responsibility, and a sense of belonging are key to helping youth make better choices.

Listen to the interview below and join the conversation.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/962-the-kyle-horner-show-sound-76578042/

What role do you think families and communities play in preventing youth vandalism?

07/20/2026

The conversation continues!

At our upcoming Family Engagement Night, we’ll build on Joanna’s presentation and work through her seven practical tips for helping children navigate today’s digital world.

Didn’t attend Joanna’s presentation? You’re still very welcome. The workshop is designed to be useful whether this is your first time joining us or you’re continuing the conversation.

Together, we’ll explore practical strategies, healthy conversations about technology and simple tools families can begin using at home right away. Every family will also receive a free toolkit filled with helpful resources.

📅 August 20, 2026
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 3640 Wells St., Cottage #5
🎟️ Free to attend

Register here: http://bit.ly/4aDZiCL

Parents and caregivers of children of all ages are welcome. Please share with someone who may benefit!

07/17/2026

It was a pleasure joining Cyber Harrassment (CHS) for a conversation about youth online safety, prevention, and the importance of creating spaces where young people feel safe asking for help.

Every day in my work with Youth Diversion, I see how the digital world can present both incredible opportunities and significant challenges for youth and families. Prevention, education, and early intervention remain some of our strongest tools in helping young people make informed decisions and navigate the online world safely.

Thank you to Varsha and the CHS team for the opportunity to be part of this important discussion. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and future conversations focused on protecting and empowering youth in today’s digital landscape.

If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to watch these short clips!

A single online mistake should not define a young person’s future. ...

07/10/2026

Many conversations have focused on social media and whether restricting access will make children safer, particularly from online grooming. While reducing exposure may help in some ways, it’s important to understand where most online exploitation actually begins.

It rarely happens in public posts.

It happens in:
• Direct messages
• Private group chats
• Disappearing messages
• Gaming platforms
• Apps where adults can easily pretend to be someone they’re not

Technology alone cannot prevent grooming. Education can.

One of the greatest protective factors we can give young people is the confidence and knowledge to recognize red flags, trust their instincts, and know they can come to a trusted adult without fear of getting in trouble.

Parents don’t need to know every app their child uses. They need to keep the conversation going.

Try asking:
💬 “Has anyone online ever made you uncomfortable?”
💬 “If someone asked you to keep a conversation secret, what would you do?”
💬 “Would you tell me if someone asked for a picture or wanted to move your conversation to another app?”

These aren’t one-time conversations—they’re ongoing conversations that build trust.

At Youth Diversion, we’ve spent years helping youth and families navigate today’s digital world through practical, judgment-free education focused on online safety, healthy relationships, consent, digital citizenship, and recognizing manipulation before it becomes victimization.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or community member looking to better understand today’s online risks, we invite you to join us for our free caregiver workshop:

📅 August 20
Family Engagement Night
Helping Families Navigate the Digital World

Together, we can help young people stay safer—not just online, but wherever conversations happen.

07/05/2026

Excited to share an upcoming CHS podcast conversation on Youth Online Safety: Prevention, Accountability, and Community Support with Joanna Conrad, Executive Director of Youth Diversion.

We’ll be discussing cyberbullying, digital privacy and consent, youth decision-making, community collaboration, and how parents, schools, and caregivers can better support young people in today’s digital world.

Recorded on July 7, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
Coming soon on YouTube and Spotify.

Together, we can build safer digital spaces for our youth.

Youth Diversion