ADSTV launches new site
Recently, Addiction Services of
Thames Valley launched their newly
redesigned website with a press gathering
in their offices at Queens Ave. and
Clarence St. The new site is the result of
work with focus groups and feedback
from the community.
One such way they've reached out to the community is through the PIER project, which was established to utilize peers, information, education, and resources in an effort to discourage youth from using illicit substances.
“This is where a lot of our information from the youth has come from for the website,” said youth prevention worker Jessica Austin at the website launch. “We've been able to ask them about communication and resources that work and that don't work, and they've given us input.”
“We do actually find that lots of people are using virtual means to access information, so we are trying to expand the way to increase the access,” said Linda Sibley, executive director of Addiction Services. “Some people walk in, some people telephone, and others can start their initial exploration around getting some help for themselves or for someone else by contacting us virtually.”
The website employs clean design and a structured menu to clearly provide a wealth of information to its visitors, from information and self-guided worksheets to counseling services for issues from substance abuse to problem gambling and more. Though a massive undertaking, ADSTV took a smart approach in including a lot of outside links to reliable information and media from the community.
“When asked, ‘What is the resource that you prefer?' they said online, you can get it on your phone now, too,” confirmed Austin. “We're not trying to recreate the wheel ... so we've incorporated a lot of videos, a lot of website links from other agencies and areas.”
In the spirit of working with the community, ADSTV teamed up with mindyourmind - a non-profit mental health engagement program for youth and emerging adults based in Citi Plaza - to develop two online games, including Gambling Zombies, an interactive puzzle game in which you have to explore a casino to find your friends, who have all been turned into zombies by the negative effects of gambling.
ADSTV have a lot of reasons to celebrate recently; in addition to the launch of their new website, this June marks 25 years that they've been serving the community.
“We started in 1985 with one program, and that's the substance abuse program that's our longest standing program, and then we've had this really massive growth over the last 25 years,” said Sibley.
Growth that has led now to their new site, and the new ways by which it's embracing social media elements - each page features a Share link, a module built into their Page Tools menu that allows visitors to share its content via Facebook, Twitter, or just about any blogging or bookmarking tool on the Internet.
“We're learning an awful lot about how to get information out - if there was an issue you wanted to know about, you'd probably start online,” said Sibley.
For more information on Addiction Services of Thames Valley, from their community outreach projects to their online games, or to register for their anniversary dinner at the Lamplighter Inn on June 23, please visit adstv.on.ca.
One such way they've reached out to the community is through the PIER project, which was established to utilize peers, information, education, and resources in an effort to discourage youth from using illicit substances.
“This is where a lot of our information from the youth has come from for the website,” said youth prevention worker Jessica Austin at the website launch. “We've been able to ask them about communication and resources that work and that don't work, and they've given us input.”
“We do actually find that lots of people are using virtual means to access information, so we are trying to expand the way to increase the access,” said Linda Sibley, executive director of Addiction Services. “Some people walk in, some people telephone, and others can start their initial exploration around getting some help for themselves or for someone else by contacting us virtually.”
The website employs clean design and a structured menu to clearly provide a wealth of information to its visitors, from information and self-guided worksheets to counseling services for issues from substance abuse to problem gambling and more. Though a massive undertaking, ADSTV took a smart approach in including a lot of outside links to reliable information and media from the community.
“When asked, ‘What is the resource that you prefer?' they said online, you can get it on your phone now, too,” confirmed Austin. “We're not trying to recreate the wheel ... so we've incorporated a lot of videos, a lot of website links from other agencies and areas.”
In the spirit of working with the community, ADSTV teamed up with mindyourmind - a non-profit mental health engagement program for youth and emerging adults based in Citi Plaza - to develop two online games, including Gambling Zombies, an interactive puzzle game in which you have to explore a casino to find your friends, who have all been turned into zombies by the negative effects of gambling.
ADSTV have a lot of reasons to celebrate recently; in addition to the launch of their new website, this June marks 25 years that they've been serving the community.
“We started in 1985 with one program, and that's the substance abuse program that's our longest standing program, and then we've had this really massive growth over the last 25 years,” said Sibley.
Growth that has led now to their new site, and the new ways by which it's embracing social media elements - each page features a Share link, a module built into their Page Tools menu that allows visitors to share its content via Facebook, Twitter, or just about any blogging or bookmarking tool on the Internet.
“We're learning an awful lot about how to get information out - if there was an issue you wanted to know about, you'd probably start online,” said Sibley.
For more information on Addiction Services of Thames Valley, from their community outreach projects to their online games, or to register for their anniversary dinner at the Lamplighter Inn on June 23, please visit adstv.on.ca.
