Visits steadily increasing at Sudbury Youth Hub
The Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub, located in the YMCA building downtown on Durham Street, has seen more than 11,000 visits in the year it has been open.
Officials said Friday that they have seen a steady increase in youth accessing their services, ranging from mental health and addiction services to primary care, skills development and well-being activities.
It has become one of the busiest youth hubs in Ontario.
Officials at the Hub in Sudbury said in the past three months alone, they have provided $10,000 in transit fares to help youth access the centre.
“It’s quite an expense but we do see the value in it being able to help youth get to and from (here),” said Amanda Gates, Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub co-ordinator.
“We have had a couple of youth say when we are out of bus passes they have to walk an hour and a half home, and so we would rather make that a little bit easier safer for them, as well.”
The Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub, located in the YMCA building downtown on Durham Street, has seen more than 11,000 visits in the year it has been open. (Alana Everson/CTV News)
The Hub opened in June 2023 and now averages 60 visits a day from youths ages 12-25. It’s run by Compass, the lead agency for child and youth mental health in Greater Sudbury, and the hub is designed to address service gaps in mental health and addictions services.
“The whole point of the youth wellness hub is one-stop shop for youth dropping into the centre,” said Mark Fraser, Compass CEO.
“And that includes primary care mental health services, employment services. (It’s) also an opportunity to connect with peer support workers so that they can in turn help support the needs of every youth who drops into the centre.”
Officials said the number of youth accessing the space continues to grow and there has been a steady increase since last winter when the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth closed due to insolvency.
“We have been really busy. We have had a lot of great feedback from youth. A lot have told us that without this place they would have no where else to go,” said Gates.
The hub is funded by the provincial government but as more youth access the safe space, officials said there is an ongoing need for donations to help with food security, transportation and clothing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario's top court dismisses application for bail from Jacob Hoggard
A justice with Ontario's Appeal Court has dismissed an application for bail from Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard as he tries to appeal his sexual assault conviction at the country's top court.
Driver charged with killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
Air Canada travellers share worries and frustrations ahead of possible pilot strike
Here's what customers had to say about their travel plans ahead of a potential Air Canada pilot strike.
Trudeau says Ukraine can strike deep into Russia with NATO arms, Putin hints at war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, regardless of Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.
2 suspects charged after Lamborghini stolen in armed home invasion in Richmond Hill: police
York Regional Police say they have arrested two suspects and are looking for at least one more following an armed home invasion in Richmond Hill that saw thieves escape in the victim’s Lamborghini.
Former NHL enforcer Stephen Peat dies after being hit by car in B.C.
Stephen Peat, the former Washington Capitals enforcer who fought concussion issues and was homeless at times after leaving hockey, has died from injuries sustained late last month when he was struck by a car while crossing a street. He was 44.
A cat named Drifter is safe after sneaking out and getting trapped in a sewer for nearly 8 weeks
A cat aptly named Drifter is safe at home after sneaking outside and getting trapped in a sewer for nearly eight weeks.
LIVE UPDATES Air Canada flights could halt next week: Here's the latest
Air Canada's potential work stoppage could ground flights, halt cargo and leave travellers scrambling to reschedule next week. Follow along with live updates here.
NDP caving to Poilievre on carbon price, has no idea how to fight climate change: PM
The NDP is caving to political pressure from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre when it comes to its stance on the consumer carbon price, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday.