Demand for service has increased so much at the Haliburton County Youth Wellness Hub over the past 18 months that Marg Cox, executive director of parent organization Point in Time, is looking for a new, upgraded space to house its expanding range of services.
The current facility, located on Dysart Avenue in Haliburton village, provides a “safe, welcoming space” to County-based youth between the ages of 12 and 25 looking for a place to unwind, make new friends, and connect with an array of mental health, substance use, and careers supports.
It’s been open since 2019 – one of six locations across Ontario selected for a pilot project supported by the provincial government, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, and the Graham Boeckh Foundation.
It’s been a tough few years for youth in the County, with many feeling isolated and alone – fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, but continuing since, Cox said. Many have found solace through the youth hub.
“We have been bursting at the seams – it’s been difficult operating because of the number of services we’ve introduced and the people we’re serving,” Cox said, noting the youth hub registered approximately 2,000 visits for drop-in and other skills and wellbeing activities between April 2023 and March 2024, with over 230 unique youth accessing formal or clinical services.
Cox said the most popular service has been health-related. The youth hub has a full-time nurse practitioner, who assists with referrals and prescriptions and offers advice for issues around mental, physical, and sexual health. There’s also virtual access to a psychiatrist.
“Because so many people don’t have access to primary care in Haliburton County, the demand is high,” Cox said, noting appointments can typically be booked a few days in advance.
Counselling is available for youth dealing with mental health and substance use issues, while two full-time employees juggle roles in peer support, programming, and transportation.
The hub’s ‘Lift’ service, launched in 2021, allows youth a chance to investigate possible career paths. Cox said there’s evidence to suggest working often has positive effects on mental health.
“Getting a good job that fits someone’s interests and their skills can really change the trajectory of their life,” Cox said.
Following the return to normal post-pandemic, Cox said many youth were presenting to the hub feeling “lost, helpless… someone said it to me recently, but it’s as if we forgot how to socialize during COVID. We need to re-learn how to make friends and interact, which can be a hard thing for people to overcome, especially if they’re introverted or dealing with other issues like anxiety.”
She wants to see the youth hub expanded to ensure nobody falls through the cracks.
Point in Time has secured COS Consulting to assist with the project – finding a site and getting a new facility built. Cox said it needs to be in Haliburton village, within walking distance of the high school. All Point in Time and youth hub services would be consolidated at the new location, with Cox estimating a cost between $6-8 million.
“Our big goal is to be able to provide the space that’s required to be able to support youth in keeping with the increased demand we’re seeing in the community,” she said. “It’ll be nice to be able to say we service all youth and cater to all demands – currently, we’ve got some youth who can’t handle the loud noise volume. Because we don’t have a quiet space or any alternative, these people sometimes choose not to come. We want to avoid that.”
While most of the project will be covered by government and foundation grants, Cox said Point in Time will likely have to fundraise around $500,000. To contribute, visit pointintime.ca.
Once a site is secure, there will be extensive engagement with the community.
“Our youth designed the last hub, we’ll be consulting with them again,” Cox said. “Since this space will be for the community, we feel it’s important they have a say in what it will do and what it will look like.”
