By Angelica Ingram
Published July 10 2018
The wheels are already in motion as plans for Point in Time’s new Youth Hub began to take shape last week.
The project which is in partnership with Haliburton Highlands Health Services and Fleming College will have key input from area youth with the first of many meetings that occurred July 3.
Feedback from last week’s meeting is still being wrapped up however organizers were pleased with the input of youth who attended said Marg Cox executive director of Point in Time.
“It was a focus group style and this one was for any youth who wanted to attend between the ages of 12 and 25 which is the age group that the youth hub will be serving” said Lindsay Kerkhof of Point in Time. “We asked a few questions some of which have been asked before but some new ones around how to integrate services and what they want it to look like.”
The meeting was held in the new hub which will be located at the former Lighthouse Pentecostal Church on Dysart Avenue.
Organizers said a dozen youth came out to attend the meeting.
“There was a lot of input all of our questions got answered” said Kerkhof.
Cox said the plan is for the organization to take possession of the building at the end of this month.
“Part of what we’re trying to do is gather input from a variety of sources” she said. “It’s a bit of a work in progress.”
Earlier this year funding totalling more than $1 million was announced for the hub with support coming from the Haliburton County Development Corporation and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario.
The majority of funding will go towards covering operating expenses said Cox.
“We’re still finalizing the budget with CAMH” she said.
Cox said they are anxious to open the doors as soon as possible for the youth and are considering a week long soft opening so that youth “can really get to own the space.”
“The youth voice is so important and we’re really committed to making this a space that’s planned by youth for youth” she said.
The timeline for construction will be dependent on permits and contractor’s availability.
There has been wide community support for the project she said.
“We’re thrilled with the level of community and youth engagement” she said. “And that the community is so supportive. We couldn’t be happier.”
Organizers are planning to receive input from parents and family members of area youth on Tuesday July 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 at 12 Dysart Ave.
Moving forward organizers are anticipating fundraising efforts to begin for the project which will be spearheaded by youth.
Updates on the project will be available on Point in Time’s website and Facebook page as well as by calling their office at 705-457-5345.
