Photo: (from left to right) Councillor Barb Manson, Mayor Andrew Poirier, MPP Greg Rickford, Briona (Kat) Oombash, and Wauzhushk Onigum Chief Chris Skead joined in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub’s new space.
Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) sends a huge congratulations to the leadership and staff of the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub (120 Main Street South) and a Miigwetch to everyone who helped celebrate its Grand Reopening on February 5.
The Kenora Youth Wellness Hub is a friendly space for youth and their families looking for mental health and addictions support across Kenora. By bringing together community partners, the Hub fosters a collaborative and innovative approach to care.
“I’m impressed with the leadership here and the focus on wellness,” says Kenora – Rainy River MPP, Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
“For the young people here today, I can’t express enough about how important it is to have good people working here and providing a safe space for you to think about being well. It means a lot to me personally. I’m a huge fan of what we’re doing here,” he added.
Elder George Land provided an opening prayer for the day’s ceremony as youth, community partners, local leaders, and more all joined together to walk through and enjoy the new space, after the Hub was closed down for renovations over the last several months.
The newly renovated space now offers even more resources for youth, including a full kitchen, an accessible washroom and shower, laundry services, and a new semi-private room.
“Our vision when we purchased this building is what it is now. It took a lot of work to get here,” explains Wauzhushk Onigum Chief, Chris Skead. “I’m very grateful to be celebrating today. The Hub is an essential place for our youth and is designed to fill the service gap in youth mental health and addictions. And it provides youth with a safe space they can access for any type of need, and a place where they can feel protected and safe in sharing where they’re at is essential.”
“I’m honoured to be representing the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub. This place has saved me in many ways,” says Youth Advisory Council member Briona (Kat) Oombash. “As a person who suffers with mental health and addictions, the staff have helped me through it since I was 20 years old. The Youth Hub is a great asset to the community and has many supports for those who need help. It’s a safe place. Miigwetch.”
Wauzhushk Onigum Chief and KCA Board Treasurer, Chris Skead, Kenora – Rainy River MPP, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Chair of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Greg Rickford, the City of Kenora’s Mayor Andrew Poirier and Deputy Mayor Barb Manson were also in attendance for an honorary ribbon cutting ceremony.
“It’s a joy to gather here today to celebrate the reopening of the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub after its renovations,” adds Councillor and Deputy Mayor Barb Manson. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Kenora Chiefs Advisory and Youth Wellness Hub Ontario for their leadership and dedication. Your commitment to youth and healing sets a powerful example to our community.”
Miigwetch to all of the youth, staff, community partners, Elder George Land, Wauzhushk Onigum Chief Chris Skead, Kenora – Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford, and the City of Kenora’s Andrew Poirier and Barb Manson for helping welcome in and celebrate the newly renovated space.
Ogimaawabiitong also sends a huge Miigwetch to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Indigenous Affairs Ontario, the City of Kenora, and Employment and Social Development Canada for their ongoing support towards the Kenora Youth Wellness Hub.
“The entire Youth Hub Wellness team is pumped to be back in the new and improved building,” says Youth Hub Manager, Victoria White. “The accessibility upgrades to the physical space now match the Hub’s intention of creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.”
“The installation of a full kitchen is especially exciting to offer opportunities for food programming, as well as improve concerns around food security, which is the second highest reason youth identify for visiting the Hub,” White adds. “Youth have been sharing their great ideas to enhance programming now that we’ve re-opened and we look forward to developing their ideas in collaboration with our community partners!”
The Kenora Youth Wellness Hub would also like to send a Miigwetch to the Kenora Justice Centre, Moncrief Construction Sports Centre, and the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre for allowing us to use their space while renovations were underway, as well as Jarnel Construction Ltd. and Keystone Security Solutions for their consultation and responsiveness on the project. We very much appreciate the help and ongoing support from our partners in the community.
Stop by and see us at 120 Main Street South, Monday to Friday between 12 pm and 6 pm!
