START for Life (Success through ART^®—Aggression Replacement Training^®) is a life skills development program for individuals aged 18+. It uses ART^®, a cognitive-behavioural intervention developed in the 1980s by Arnold P. Goldstein and Barry Glick, consisting of three components: Social Skills Training (behavioural), Anger Control Training (affective), and Moral Reasoning (cognitive) to target aggressive and violent behaviour by incorporating how we think and behave while integrating new skills to foster healthy living.

How Does the START for Life Skills Training Program Work?

Through a mix of group workshops and one-on-one sessions, participants strengthen communication tools, emotional regulation, and moral reasoning in a supportive, cognitive-behavioural learning environment.

START for Life is tailored according to the specific learning requirements of the pre-registered participants. Participants receive instruction to enhance the social skills necessary for good interpersonal communication, anger control, and decision-making. Program activities include reflective discussions, role modelling, and demonstrations. It is facilitated in 3-week sessions throughout Winter, Spring, and Fall from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The registration fee is $300 (payment options can be arranged for those in need), which includes:

• 15 training hours in 6 group sessions.
• 8 individualized sessions
• Course curriculum
• Certificate of completion

The Skills for Life sessions available are as follows:

2025

• Fall Session 1: September 13, 20, and 27, 2025
• Fall Session 2: October 18, 25, and November 1, 2025
• Fall Session 3: November 15, 22, and 29, 2025

2026

• Winter Session 1: January 10, 17, and 24, 2026
• Winter Session 2: February 14, 21, and 28, 2026
• Spring Session 1: March 14, 21, and 28, 2026