New youth wellness hub opens with soft launch Monday

A much-needed centre for youth, located in the former Sault Ste. Marie Independent Order of Odd Fellows building at 124 Dennis St., will open with a soft launch on Monday, Dec. 18.

“We’re not opening fully yet. It’s just to see how the space will work for some of the kids that we regularly work with," said Ali Juma, Algoma Family Services CEO, speaking to SooToday on Friday. "We want to make sure everything’s working as we think it should. Our staff will be there and we’ll invite some kids just to see the space and for us to address any issues with the space."

Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo will be in attendance for the official opening Jan. 8, Juma said.

The youth wellness hub will be accessible to Sault youth to eventually access job training, mental health and addictions services, health care services, child protection services, anti-human trafficking info for at-risk kids as well as cultural programming.

A virtual youth wellness hub will also be available for youth to access those same services from outside Sault Ste. Marie in the Algoma Region.

“It’s been a long time in the making,” Juma said.

“Unfortunately, supply chain issues, getting contractors and getting all that work done took much longer than we had hoped but we’re thrilled that we’ll be in a position to fully open in January.”

“It’s a new opportunity for our youth in Algoma and we’re really excited with our community partners to be able to have this service available. The intention is a one stop shop for youth to find a safe, welcoming, inclusive space to not only drop in and hang out but also to access services if they need them,” Juma said.

The Youth Wellness Hub will operate Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12-5 p.m. to start. There will be walk-in counselling appointments available on Tuesday 12-3 p.m., Wednesday 1:30-3:30 p.m. and Thursday 12-5 p.m.

Peer Support is available Tuesday 2-5 p.m., Wednesday 1:30-5 p.m. and Thursday 12-5 p.m.  

Community partners Employment Solutions will be on site on Tuesdays from 12-3:30 p.m. and John Howard Society on Thursdays from 1:30-5 p.m.

More community partners will be added as time goes on.

The Virtual hub has counselling appointments available on Monday and Friday from 2-5 p.m. and peer support appointments on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Youth can access an appointment through this website. 

Once registered, youth will receive a Zoom link to attend a virtual appointment.

A separate Live-In Treatment Program to host youths between the ages of 12 and 16 who have complex mental health and/or substance use challenges was opened at 631 Second Line West last year.

With files from Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday