Sudbury youth hub offers daytime support
Many community organizations are stepping in the help meet the need left by the recent closure of the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth also known as SACY.
One of those organizations is the Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub. Officials at the hub told CTV News that that has seen increasing numbers of young people visiting, seeking a safe place along with supports and other services.
Amanda Gates, the coordinator of the Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub, which offers support services and a safe space for people ages 12-25. Gates in the wellness centre on March 26, 2024. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)
The wellness hub is located in the YMCA building downtown on Durham Street.
Amanda Gates, the hub’s coordinator, said the centre offers support services and a safe space for people ages 12-25 from noon to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
“So our goal for our youth coming in is just hope. We want to give them hope in their lives,” said Gates.
“A lot of them you know are homeless or really struggling and we want to give them a place where they can come in and I always say we are adults you can tell anything to.”
Gates said the recent closure of SACY was tough for young people it helped – the agency offered the only youth shelter beds in the city.
“We are seeing a few new faces and a lot more just panic in youth,” said Gates.
“Not knowing where they were going to stay when they first announced they were closing we had a handful of youth coming in having absolutely no idea what that meant for them and where they were going to go.”
Since the closure of SACY, the City of Greater Sudbury has partnered with New Hope Outreach Inc. to fund an overnight warming centre for up to 10 homeless youth, ages 16 – 24, at the Samaritan Centre until April 30 – but there are no beds.
Officials said that during the day the hub offers primary care and mental and social services and is always looking at ways to grow.
“One youth told us that this is the only safe space for him and he said if this place didn’t exist he didn’t know what he would do,” said Gates.
“He is someone who has a place at night to go to but during the day is trying to stay out of trouble.”
Officials said the hub has served more than 6,000 youth since it opened at the end of June last year with the average now up to 48 visits a day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.