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
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.