Sault group focused on youth opioid use marks 10 years
As the temperature outside plunged below - 20 C on Saturday, volunteers with the group called Save Our Young Adults (SOYA) were busy preparing hot coffee and lunches for the Sault Ste. Marie's vulnerable population.
SOYA is marking 10 years of service, operating out of a temporary spot on Gore Street at Wellington Street.
The group's founder, Connie Raynor-Elliott, says the group has come a long way in the last decade.
"We see a minimum of 100 people every time that we're open," she said. "The community comes together, our team is fantastic, we're called the SOYA family. Onwards and upwards, we've really grown."
SOYA began as a support group for those battling addiction but has since expanded its mandate. However, Raynor-Elliott says the group is still centred on helping people in the grips of drug addiction. She adds while the group helps fill in service gaps, more needs to be done.
"Where is our withdrawal management, where is our treatment centre," said Raynor-Elliott. "We just need more services."
Raynor-Elliott is quick to credit the volunteers for SOYA's success. Emily Hodgkinson said she became affiliated with Raynor-Elliott and her group when she herself was looking for help.
"I can reach out to her if I'm having a hard time, I know I can tell her anything and she'll be there if I need something," said Hodgkinson. "She's literally 'Mama Bear' because of that. I don't call her that, but that's exactly what she is. She's a mom to those who don't have it."
Brooke Adams, another volunteer, is a Social Services student at Sault College who is completing her placement through SOYA. She's been volunteering alongside Raynor-Elliott for the past six years.
"She never stops," said Adams. "She works all day. She comes here, she does this, and she works tirelessly to make sure everybody has everything they need. And she's a great role model for lots of people to look up to."
Meantime, Raynor-Elliott said COVID-19 has put the brakes on SOYA's move to the old Verdi Hall on Queen Street West. She said the group's move-in date is now Feb. 1.
Until then, SOYA will continue to operate out of its temporary depot at Gore and Wellington.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.