OutLoud North Bay building gets a major facelift
A hub for children in the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies got a major facelift after working with Giant Tiger and a Canadian designer to give the space a major transformation.
As OutLoud North Bay's Seth Compton walks into his re-designed community hub for children, he sheds more than a few tears.
"I've been crying all week," Compton said. "This is what I've been dreaming about for two years."
It all started through an email with the local Giant Tiger Store.
"We got involved last year through the sale of our Pride merchandise," said Sean Wilson, of Giant Tiger North Bay.
"We made a donation to Seth."
From there, a friendship was struck and the corporation wanted to go one step further and support the work done at the space.
"I really wanted, when I started OutLoud two years ago, for the community to be invested in the space because I can't do it on my own," Compton said.
Giant Tiger worked with OutLoud to redesign and upgrade the facility, from a new gaming area to a new meal room and quiet area.
The upgrade includes new furnishings. TV host and designer Steven Sabados began the design process months ago. He came up with the concept of zones for the space.
"To have areas for the children to flourish," Sabados said. "Like a gaming area to interact with other kids to game. Some kids like to sit down and do homework or have one-on-ones."
OutLoud North Bay has more than 300 members. On average, 80 kids between the ages of 6 to 19 visit the space, both youth in the 2SLGBTQ+ community as well as other allies.
"When COVID came in, I quickly realized every kid needed this space," Compton said.
In addition to the upgrade, Giant Tiger donated $15,000 for Compton to expand his peer support program to help children struggling with mental health.
"With mental health and COVID and all the things the kids went through and the gaps and services here in northern Ontario, it's important they can support each other," he said.
Compton is also hoping to expand into other northern communities, but for now, he wants to soak it all in and take care of his North Bay residents first.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.