Kim MacLeod, Addictions Treatment Service (ATS) Director and YWHO Project Lead, youth participants Faith and Aiden, and Renfrew County YWHO Manager Sarah Haaima cut the cake at the May 3 celebration of opening a YWHO Centre for youth aged 12-25 in Renfrew.
The Ottawa Valley’s local hub for care and services that benefit youth can now serve you in multiple locations.
The Renfrew County Youth Wellness Hub brought the community, youth, and staff together earlier this month for a grand opening celebration for their new Renfrew location inside the myFM Centre.
The two local YWHO hubs are part of a network across Ontario that provides youth aged 12 to 25 with a “one-stop-shop” for primary care, mental health and addictions services, peer support, education, skills, wellbeing activities, and more.
The concept for a local hub was first established through a collaboration between Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Addictions Treatment Service, and a number of local partners back in 2017, with their first YWHO site opening in Pembroke in 2022.
Alison Green, RVH VP of Corporate Services, says that “this even being a reality is a testament to integration and collaboration. None of this happens without many people coming together behind the scenes. A huge thank you to all for everything you have done to bring together this innovative and integrated hub for youth that includes youth leadership and co-design.”
Matteo Schwartzentruber from Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario was on hand for their May 3rd grand opening to congratulate the Renfrew County team. “It’s really easy to see the hard work that is part of this. It is really exciting to see all the work that’s happening to reach every youth across Renfrew County. Sincere congratulations on everything you’ve done.”
Kim MacLeod, ATS Service Director, said the day was all about gratitude and acknowledged the partnerships and partner wall of honour in the new centre. “This has been a journey, and it’s so nice to see it come together. In terms of today, we are fulfilling the youths’ wish; this means that anyone 12–25 in Renfrew County can now visit one of the sites within 45 minutes to an hour.”
Renfrew’s YWHO office will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., mirroring the Tuesdays and Thursday open hours for its sister site in Pembroke.
Transportation from local schools to either YWHO locations is provided to ensure access for all.
(written by Kasey Egan)
Many partner organization members attended the May 3 celebration of the Youth Wellness Hubs of Ontario (YWHO) Renfrew location opening in the Ma-te-way Centre. YWHO provides services to youth aged 12-25.