July 29, 2022

On Friday, July 29, Ali Juma, CEO of Algoma Family Services formally announced the new site of the Algoma Region Youth Wellness Hub thanks to the contributions of community funders and partners.

Through an unprecedented level of collaboration between community partners to establish a Youth Wellness Hub, Algoma Family Services (AFS) will lease the building on behalf of their partners from the SSM Housing Corporation.

The hub will be located at the former International Order of Odd Fellows Lodge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The goal is to open the Hub this fall or winter. However, the building requires extensive repair and renovation.

Since 1951, this Lodge has played a key role in the community through the community service of the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) and the AFS team are thrilled to have such a great space for youth, and are pleased this building will continue to serve the community for hopefully decades to come.

As one of the 8 new YWHO sites announced by the Ontario government this February, Algoma Region will join the network of the 14 established hubs across Ontario. The team will operate initially for five days a week and provide the following services:

• Mental Health / Substance Use Counselling
• Health Promotion
• Employment Counselling
• Food security
• Housing and Income Support
• Cultural and LGBTQ2+ Support
• Anti-Human Trafficking
• Child Protection

Algoma Region’s team plans to grow the services offered at the hub and to be open seven days a week, and the hub has extended an open
invitation to community partners and community groups servicing youth to work with the team.

Algoma community partners include: the Canadian Mental Health Association – Algoma, Algoma Public Health, John Howard Society, the Indian Friendship Centre, THRIVE Child Development Centre, the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma, Northern Youth Services, the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault Ste. Marie District Social Services Administration Board, and YWHO. Community partners will be contributing in-kind staff, services, and financial resources where available to support the Hub. Information sessions for the neighbours and surrounding businesses will be provided later to ensure the hub we develop will add value to the immediate community and create a mechanism to address any concerns or issues that come up.

Youth will play a central role in the co-creation and design of the space here, as well as the services and programs to be offered. The hub will be a culturally safe place for youth ages 12-25 years of age to find the help they need, to connect with other youth, to learn about the services available to them, and to create a better tomorrow.

Video: Sault Online ONNtv

For the full media package prepared by Algoma Family Services, click here.

For more information, please contact: 
YWHO Communications Team
Communications@ywho.ca