It can be a daunting task for some of our youth to figure out how to access mental health services, addictions support, primary care and other social services.
To ensure they do not fall through the cracks, we are happy to partner with the Province of Manitoba, United Way Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Foundation, RBC Foundation, Bell – Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership, and the Moffat Family Fund to fund 5 Youth Hubs in Manitoba, including one for St. Boniface and St. Vital. Réseau Compassion Network will be contributing just over $400,000 over the next three years.
What’s a Youth Hub? It’s a place where youth can come to find judgement-free access to supports around mental health, addictions, and overall well-being in an integrated way. The St. Boniface and St. Vital Youth Hub was specifically designed to support francophone, indigenous and immigrant youth in the area, along with anyone under the age of 18 seeking a caring, helping hand.
From our perspective, there’s much to celebrate. First and foremost, as Toni Tilston-Jones from Youville Centre says, we’re “giving youth and families a seat at the table;” a chance to express what they and their communities need. As a network, we often say we’re proud to walk alongside people as they seek better health or better outcomes in their lives. This is a project that brings us right alongside those who need us most.
Secondly, this project demonstrated how our network organizations can come together to foster a solution to a real need in our community. Youville Centre brought their expertise creating community connections for youth; Centre de santé, excellence in francophone health services; Sara Riel, a breadth of experience in advocacy, mental health and addictions support; Marymound, strong connections and experience supporting indigenous youth; Aulneau Renewal Centre, an incredible team of mental health counsellors and programming; and Teen Stop Jeunesse, a bilingual support for youth across the country. Together they created an innovative proposal that was selected for the St. Boniface and St. Vital area.
Watching our members pull together serves as a reminder that we are stronger and can go further together. This type of inspiring collaboration runs through the whole network and it is truly amazing to witness.