GUELPH – For the entire month of December, Linamar Corporation in Guelph committed to matching donations made to The Grove Hubs.
The Grove asked the community for donations to provide integrated life skills, mental health and well-being services to youth across Wellington County and Guelph.
As a result, The Grove raised $200,000. With Linamar’s contribution, the holiday donations totalled to $400,000.
“Our community has been incredibly supportive of youth,” said Jeff Hoffman, interim executive director of The Grove Hubs Wellington Guelph.
The funds donated over the holiday season will be used to further address youth needs in the community – “More access to services, more access to support, more access to a safe place,” officials say.
Hoffman noted The Grove had over 32,000 visits across its sites in 2023. That’s up from 23,000 visits in 2022.
“Every single day, we’re seeing right now in Wellington County, about 120 to 150 young people in those sites,” he said.
“When a young person comes into the space, if they need support today, they get support today. There are no waitlists for our services, and we can start … them on their wellness journey.”
Still time to donate
Roughly 75 per cent of The Grove’s operating funds come from donations, and Hoffman previously told the Advertiser this is how “the whole thing started.”
Although the holiday campaign is over, The Grove still accepts donations.
Its website shares how different donation amounts can make a difference in the lives of youth, ranging from $25 to help support employment and career counselling group workshops to $2,500 to fund an entire day at The Grove for a youth.
Hoffman shared some of the significant donations made during the holiday campaign, including: $25,000 from the Rotary Club of Fergus Elora, $15,000 from Get in Touch for Hutch and $50,000 from Skyline Group of Companies.
The Grove also received monetary gifts and donations from community members, including warm clothes, holiday gifts and personal items.
New site
The Grove Hubs is also getting close to opening its new location in the north end of Guelph.
Hoffman said the new site will be opening in a “couple of weeks” as officials are beginning to move things into the space.
“We’re pumped. We’re so close,” he said.
The new space will be The Grove’s fifth location, and they plan to have seven.
“There are two more sites in the City of Guelph that are scheduled to open up in the next 12 to 14 months,” said Hoffman.
To learn more or to donate, visit thegrovehubs.ca.
A Linamar official did not respond by press time to a request for comment.
