Launchpad
Young Adult Program
Program Overview
Launchpad: A New Start for Young Men—and Their Families
When your child is struggling, it affects everything.
You see his potential, but you also see him stuck—doubting himself, feeling overwhelmed by life, and unsure of his next steps. As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle. Naturally, you want to help, but often your efforts result in argument and resistance, not progress.
If you’ve found yourself in a cycle of worry, conflict, or silence with your son, you’re not alone. It’s a very painful problem, but it’s also a very common problem, and it’s solvable, with the right strategies and the right support.
Launchpad is personal growth program for young men who are overwhelmed by the prospect of ‘adulting.’ The program was designed to help them 1) break their avoidant habits, and 2) develop real-life skills, which allow them to 3) start participating, effortfully and meaningfully, in the real world. Launchpad helps participants build confidence, independence and a sense of direction, without judgment or pressure. Through a mix of skills teaching, behavioural goal setting & accountability, and peer connection, these young men learn how to develop resilience, and move forward with purpose. It’s not therapy and it’s not a lecture-it’s a launchpad.
Program Quick Facts
Offering:
- Weekly group program, focused on: 1) skills building, 2) concrete real-life goal setting and accountability check-ins each week and 3) peer support & healthy social connection.
Model of Care:
- Developmental and strengths-based model focused on independence, life skills, and connection. Key focus on life goals and skills. Combines goal-setting, executive functioning coaching, peer support, and facilitated group experiences.
Demographics:
- Young men ages 18–30* experiencing challenges with motivation, underemployment, avoidant behaviour, anxiety, social withdrawal, or life direction. Appropriate both for individuals who are already in individual counselling, and those who have not done counselling at all.
Staffing:
- Facilitators include RCCs, recovery coaches, youth workers, and adult mentors. Access to case management and family support team available.
Additional Benefits:
- Optional family coaching and communication support
- Optional access to other clinical services (i.e., psychological assessment, counselling or psychotherapy, care managment, etc.)
- Practical life skills development (budgeting, routine, self-care)
- Potential to participate for 8 weeks, or longer, to keep building momentum with life goals
- Post-program mentorship and alumni access
*The program can accommodate individuals up to 35 years of age, where appropriate
This provides a wide range of knowledge and wisdom, focused on core purpose of the Launchpad group:
- Life skills building
- Concrete, real-life goal setting
- Accountability check-ins each week and
- Peer support & healthy social connection.
Additional Benefits
- Practical life skills development (budgeting, routine, self-care)
- Potential to participate for 8 weeks, or longer, to keep building momentum with life goals
- Post-program mentorship and alumni access
- Optional family coaching and support
- Optional access to other clinical services (i.e., psychological assessment, counselling or psychotherapy, care managment, etc.)
Why we created this program
Young adulthood is different now than in past generations. In the 1900s, most people began a career, married and had children in their early twenties. In the 2000s, most people take longer, and have a more difficult time, reaching these milestones.
Nearly 1 in 4 young men aged 18–29 report feeling “stuck” or “off track” in their transition to adulthood.
(Canadian Index of Wellbeing, 2022)
Young men are less likely to seek help for mental health concerns, despite rising rates of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.
(Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2021)
Over 30% of young men report feeling isolated or lacking close friendships, a major risk factor for poor mental health outcomes.
(StatsCan, 2021)
Support Gap
Few programs exist that bridge the gap between adolescence and independent adulthood—especially those tailored to the unique needs of young men.
(CMHA, 2023)
Who we support
Who Is It For?
Launchpad was designed for young men (typically 18–30,) who are:
- Feeling stuck or overwhelmed by adult responsibilities
- Struggling with motivation, confidence, or direction
- Avoiding the challenges and commitments that will improve their lives
- Isolated or disconnected from peers In conflict with their family due to anxiety, frustration, or unmet expectations
- Open to change, and willing to make an effort, but unsure how to begin
Why Support is Needed
Emotional and Behavioral Impact:
- Young men who feel lost or overwhelmed often appear unmotivated, reactive, shut down or even ‘lazy.’ However, these behaviors are often symptoms of deeper struggles with confidence, identity, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future.
Family System Disruption:
- When young men struggle, parents often fall into cycles of worry, control behavours, and frustration. Well-intentioned efforts to help can unintentionally convey a message of doubt regarding the young person’s capabilities, and perpetuate conflict.
Developmental Gaps:
- The transition to adulthood now takes longer than in previous generations. But the expectations haven’t changed very much. A good life will always include: 1) loving and deep social connections, typically with a spouse, other family members & friends, and 2) purposeful and productive involvement in society (a fancy way of saying: “work” and more specifically “a good, rewarding career”). Many young men lack access to skill-building opportunities, and real-life practice in “adulting.”
Mental Health & Identity:
- Many young men struggle silently with anxiety, low self-worth, and social disconnection. Often, they have had disappointing and hurtful past experiences that have taken away their confidence and self-esteem. They are shaken by past setbacks, and fearful of future ‘failure,’ leading to avoidance. These internal battles often go unrecognized or unspoken, and result in anxious avoidance, and disengagement from the world.
Navigating Independence:
- The move toward independence can be overwhelming. Launchpad helps young men develop the tools, skills, and routines needed—from time management to decision-making to basic self-care—so they can step forward with more confidence and fewer setbacks. The ultimate goal is to manage life with perseverance and purpose.
Addressing Family Enabling & Burnout:
- Parents and caregivers often find themselves doing too much, burning out, and becoming resentful or disengaging altogether.
Improved Outcomes:
- Launchpad is a new initiative, it is built on evidence-informed practices drawn from youth development, recovery, and family systems work. The program’s design targets key predictors of long-term success: personal agency, healthy peer connection,executive functioning, and family realignment.