I recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Grove Youth Wellness Hub facility on the University of Guelph campus and I must say, it was an incredible experience. This Wellness Hub is a one-stop-shop for all things related to mental health and well-being, and I couldn't be more impressed with the services and resources they offer for the youth in our community.
Upon entering the hub, one of the first things that caught my eye was the overall atmosphere of the facility. Even though the facility is designated to be a resource for improving mental health, the space did not look like a doctor’s office. When I mentioned this, I was told by Jeff Hoffman, Chief Development Officer of The Grove, that this was by design. The space is beautifully configured, with youth in mind. The space offers plenty of natural light, artwork, and comfortable seating areas that encourage relaxation and reflection. Something that I was told during my tour was that the Wellness Hubs are designed “by youth, for youth.” I think it really shows.
There were plenty of unique rooms accessible, such as a gaming room including a PS5 and Nintendo Switch, to more private rooms where youth in need of services could talk to someone. The Grove Hub of course offers a range of support services, including counseling, therapy, and peer support groups. It is a facility that is meant to provide resources in the most quick, efficient, and accessible manner possible thanks to the collaborative effort of the many organizations such as CMHA-WW and Big Brothers Big Sisters. The staff are highly trained and compassionate, and they go above and beyond to make everyone feel heard and understood. The clinical staff are all hired and trained by the CMHA-WW.
As an avid coffee drinker, one of my favourite things to see was a coffee bar! Each Grove is designed by local youth, creating a one of a kind, all inclusive source for wellness and care for our younger generations. Grab some snacks, coffee, play some games and do some art! plenty of activities to choose from.
One of the things that sets the Grove Youth Wellness Hub apart is their focus on holistic wellness. They offer a variety of programming and workshops, including painting, movie nights, and nutrition classes. These programs are designed to help individuals develop healthy habits and cope with stress and anxiety in a positive way.
The Grove Hubs were not around during my time as a youth, but I am truly ecstatic for today’s youth (and future generations) that they have a place to connect with each other, make new friends, and access mental health resources in a quick and efficient manner. It’s wonderful to see such progressive strides taken to not only provide mental health resources, but also potentially prevent youth from getting to a point where they need to access resources to begin with.
Overall, my visit to the Grove Youth Wellness Hub was truly incredible, and I would highly recommend it to any youth in need of support or resources related to mental health and wellness. As a company that is passionate about improving mental health resources, we are proud to spread awareness and collaborate with organizations like the Grove Youth Wellness Hub, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they have on individuals and communities.
to learn more, check out the grove hub here!
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