333 Richmond Street will soon be the location of a youth wellness hub. Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) has started phase 1 of a wellness centre that will be a hub where youth who struggle with metal health, addictions and other ailments will be able to get help. YOU started raising funds for the hub in 2017 with a goal of $8.2 million dollars collected from the London community, $5.4 million was actually raised.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited Enterprise – YOU Made It Cafe
Executive director for YOU, Steve Cordes, says that the hub will offer many services for youth.
“Within that wellness hub will be on going programs that London Health Science centre runs, Canadian Mental Health Association, Addiction services Thames Valley, Youth Opportunities Unlimited and other providers that all together becomes that one stop shop.”
Many youth end up needing these services because of their issues surrounding drugs and alcohol. Cordes believes that youth use these substances as self medication.
“Drugs and alcohol often become a part of that self-medication, which leads to addictions and mental health issues.”
Cordes says that the centre will make it easier for youth who need more than one service.
“While some of these services exist in pockets of the downtown now, it’s very difficult when you are experiencing these issues to also fair it out where they are and what the intake rules are and the hours of operation. Whereas if it’s in one location, there’s not a wrong door.”
The centre will take about six months for the first phase to finish. The next phase will be creating affordable housing units for young mothers and their families.
