Photo: A youth enjoys his new backpack full of school supplies and a free lunch, courtesy of the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub and community partners.
Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) and the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub are sending a huge Miigwetch to all of the community members, partners, and youth who supported our annual Back-to-School fundraising barbecue.
Under the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion on Kenora’s Harbourfront, organizations and community partners all came together to showcase how they can support and benefit youth in the area – including mental health, primary care, education, basic needs, and much more.
As well as information tables throughout, the annual fundraiser also offered youth with free backpacks donated by the Kenora Sexual Assault Centre, with various school supplies and gifts donated by various community organizations.
Youth were also offered a free taco-in-a-bag lunch, the chance to enter draws and win prizes donated by local businesses, and a number of family-friendly games and activities.
“The Back-to-School barbecue is a great start to get all of the resources out there, and make sure that youth are connected,” explains Program Manager of the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, Tori White. “
“It’s been an amazing collaboration with all of our partners and local businesses,” White adds. “Our community has been so generous. It’s been great. We’re also really grateful to the city for allowing us to use this space. It’s been an awesome collaboration.”
Ogimaawabiitong and the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub would like to send a huge Miigwetch to the organizations who donated and helped fill the backpacks with supplies: Kenora Sexual Assault Centre, KACL, LEAP, Keewatin Patricia District School Board, and WNHAC.
Another Miigwetch to the businesses who donated prizes towards the raffle: Sierra Construction, City of Kenora, Donny B’s, Debbie’s Greenhouse, Boardanyone, Lake of the Woods Sunrise Soap Co., Wilson’s, Kenora Bed and Bale, A&W, Haney Construction, Lake of the Woods Speedway, World of Water, the Cave Bowling, Westrans, Seasons, Canadian Tire, and Keewatin Patricia District School Board.
Finally, a Miigwetch to the City of Kenora for allowing us to use the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion while renovations continue at the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub.
If you would like to get in touch with the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, please call 1-807-467-8468, Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm. They can also be reached at kenorayouthhub@gmail.com.
The Kenora Youth Wellness Hub, at 120 Main Street, is a welcoming and youth-friendly space for integrated youth services for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families looking for mental health and addiction support across Kenora.
The Hub brings together existing community partners who are committed to working in a new collaborative and innovative way. The goal is to provide youth with the right services in the right place at the right time.
Renovations at the 120 Main Street location are expected to continue into the fall. The Hub is currently utilizing space at the Kenora Justice Centre and Moncrief Construction Sports Centre for drop-in services.
