Joanna Conrad

10/08/2026

I’m excited to present Session 1 of Digital Independence: Understanding the Digital Landscape, Risks amp; Vulnerabilities, offered through the Wayne State University School of Social Work’s Office of Continuing Education.

Digital access can foster friendship, education, employment, self-advocacy, community participation, and independence for people with intellectual disabilities. It can also introduce complex risks—including online scams, catfishing, identity theft, cyberbullying, grooming, sextortion, and AI-generated deception.

This practical session will help social workers and other helping professionals consider how we can promote digital safety without unnecessarily limiting autonomy, privacy, dignity, or inclusion.

📅 March 23, 2027
🕐 1–3 p.m. Eastern Time
💻 Live on Zoom
🎓 2 Social Work CECHs
💵 $25

Participants will explore:
• The benefits of meaningful digital inclusion
• Today’s evolving online risks and vulnerabilities
• Warning signs of exploitation and coercion
• Accessible, person-centred approaches to digital safety
• Ways to balance protection with choice and independence

Register through Wayne State University Continuing Education:
https://lnkd.in/gY4jkMvP

I hope you’ll join me—and please share this opportunity with colleagues working in social work, disability services, education, community support, youth services, or related fields.

09/19/2026

I appreciated the opportunity to speak with CTV News Windsor about the concerning rise in serious incidents involving young people in our community.

Accountability matters—but accountability and rehabilitation are not opposites. If we want to prevent further harm, we must also understand what is driving the behaviour and provide meaningful intervention before it becomes more serious or entrenched.

This work requires collaboration among young people, families, schools, police, justice partners, and community organizations. No single system can address it alone.

I’m proud of the work our team at Youth Diversion does every day to help young people take responsibility, address underlying challenges, and make different choices moving forward.

09/11/2026

Community safety, meaningful accountability, and support for families all matter when responding to concerning youth behaviour.

Our Executive Director, Joanna Conrad, joined AM800 to discuss these issues—and how families can reach out to Youth Diversion before concerns become a crisis.

🎧 Listen to the conversation below.

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!