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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.