Manitoba is changing the way it offers support to youth struggling with mental health and addictions, the province announced on Wednesday.
In partnership with the United Way, Manitoba is combining and co-ordinating mental health, addictions and social service supports for youth at several service hub locations, known as Huddle sites, intended to improve access to care, Mental Health and Community Wellness Minister Sarah Guillemard announced in Brandon.
“The Manitoba government and United Way are taking an innovative and collaborative approach to providing integrated services more comprehensively and in ways that respond better to the needs of our youth as they find connection and support through these youth hub sites,” Guillemard said.
Following a youth-engaged process, government said the Huddle sites will bring multiple health and community service partners together “to provide inclusive and welcoming wrap-around supports to Manitobans aged 12 to 29 and to their families. Huddle sites will also bridge Indigenous and Western models of health care to better serve diverse youth.”
Six Huddle sites will be available. Huddle NorWest in Winnipeg, open since 2017, Huddle Broadway in central Winnipeg, Huddle South Central in St. Boniface, Huddle Ka Ni Kanichihk, an Indigenous-led site in north Winnipeg, Huddle Brandon serving the Westman region and Huddle Selkirk, an Indigenous-led site led by Peguis First Nation, opening later in 2022.
In March 2021, the Manitoba government announced a $1.92-million investment in the creation of five hub sites to expand integrated services for children and youth across Manitoba. In addition, philanthropic organizations led by United Way Winnipeg invested $3.41 million over three years.
“Youth have told us they need safe, comfortable spaces to access free, trauma-informed and culturally safe care,” said Connie Walker, president and CEO, United Way Winnipeg. “We are so pleased to scale this innovative and transformational approach for integrated youth services in partnership with the province of Manitoba and Shared Health and with support from United Way Winnipeg donors and philanthropic partners including the Bell-Graham Boeckh Foundation Partnership, RBC Foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, Reseau Compassion Network and others.”
Recreation facilities, playgrounds and community centres are some of the projects that will benefit from Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Communities program, the province announced on Wednesday.
More than $25 million is available to enhance existing public facilities and spaces Municipal Relations Minister Eileen Clarke said during a stop in Brandon and touring the Westman region.
More than 425 projects throughout the province will benefit including nearly $12 million for 364 local and regional initiatives and about $13 million for 63 larger-scale capital projects.
The minister noted these community projects would not be possible without the strong leadership of the municipalities and non-profit organizations, leveraged funding from other public, private and philanthropic sources, and the dedication of local volunteers.
The Manitoba Liberal Party was scheduled to nominate Willard Reaves Thursday evening as their candidate in the Fort Whyte constituency for the next Provincial Election.
Reaves, who was the MLP candidate in the recent by-election in Fort Whyte, lost by 197 votes to PC candidate Obby Khan.
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