Youth Diversion at 50: Building Hope and Resilience Through Community
As Youth Diversion celebrates its 50th anniversary, Executive Director Shawn Quigley reflects on five decades of unwavering commitment to Kingston’s at-risk youth and their families. “From the beginning, our agency was built on the belief that normal adolescent behaviour shouldn’t be criminalized,” Shawn explains. “Our founder, Judge George Thomson, saw kids coming into his court and knew there was a better way.” That vision led to the creation of Ontario’s longest-running youth diversion program, a grassroots initiative that has adapted and grown with the community over the years.
The agency’s impact is staggering: last year alone, Youth Diversion supported 3,824 children, youth, and families through a range of programs including justice diversion, mentoring, substance use counselling, and school-based outreach. “We have a lean team—just 19 staff and over 100 volunteers—but together we reach kids wherever they are, whether that’s in schools, under bridges, or at Tim Hortons,” Shawn says. The numbers speak volumes: for just $1 a day per participant, Youth Diversion provides prevention and intervention services that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars per day in custodial care.
A cornerstone of their approach is trauma-informed care and restorative practices. “Punishment doesn’t change behaviour positively,” Shawn emphasizes. “What works is building relationships, giving everyone a voice, and helping young people—and their families—understand and heal from trauma.” Programs like MEND bring together youth who have caused harm and those affected, fostering accountability and understanding in a way that traditional punitive systems cannot.
The agency’s mentoring program, running for nearly 50 years, is described by Shawn as “the closest thing to a magic bullet” for youth success. “If I win the lottery, every 12 to 17-year-old in our community would have a positive adult role model,” he says. Small acts, like a mentor buying a donut or a pair of running shoes, can have lifelong impact.
Youth Diversion’s work is made possible by strong community partnerships, notably with the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. “Funds like the Heather Lynn Wells Memorial Education Fund and our Sustainability Fund are lifelines,” Shawn notes. “They allow us to recognize resilience, provide scholarships, and ensure our programs endure—even as funding challenges persist.”
Looking ahead, Shawn is both hopeful and realistic. “The needs are growing, 63% of our clients report at least three adverse childhood experiences, and mental health challenges are rising. But we see incredible resilience in these young people. Our job is to listen, support, and invest in prevention, so every child has a chance to thrive.”
Youth Diversion’s legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and community spirit, a testament to what’s possible when a city comes together for its youth.