Youth Wellness Hubs celebrate five years of supporting youth
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) Wellington-Guelph is celebrating five years of providing integrated mental health, substance use, primary care, peer support, employment, education and social services for youth in rural Wellington County.
Services are free and designed to be accessible without barriers for youth 12 to 25 years old.
To mark the milestone, there will be three anniversary celebrations at the Fergus, Palmerston and Erin Youth Hubs.
Since opening its first rural sites in 2021, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario Wellington-Guelph has grown to seven locations across the region, including five hub sites and two satellite locations, supporting more than 150,000 youth visits.
The network now delivers approximately 20 per cent of all Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario visits across the province each year.
Through ongoing care and support, youth have reported significant improvements in well-being, including a 41.5% increase in self-rated mental health and a 34% reduction in suicidal ideation.
The hubs are also improving access to care, connecting 80% of youth to services within 72 hours.
The program is reaching young people who may otherwise have gone without support, with 35% of youth reporting they would not have sought help elsewhere.
“Five years ago, we set out with a network of community partners and local philanthropists to make it easier for youth in rural Wellington County to access support,” said YWHO WG executive director Jeff Hoffman.
“Today, these hubs are safe, vibrant community spaces where young people can access care, build connections and find support before challenges become crises.”
Anniversary celebrations
The Fergus Youth Hub celebration is on Sept. 23 from 5:30 to 7pm at 900 Tower St. S, Fergus
This is part part of the Skyline Community Hub Celebration, that also includes Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington; Compass Community Services; and the Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington.
The Palmerston Youth Hub celebration is on Sept. 24 from noon to 1:30pm at 390 Main Street East, Palmerston.
The Erin Youth Hub celebration is on Sept. 24 from 6 to 7pm. 10 Thompson Cres. Erin.
