MINTO – More than $228,000 in cash and in-kind contributions have been received for an Integrated Youth Services Network (IYSN) hub set to open in Palmerston in the near future.
Minto Mental Health executive director Jessica Martin, in a Jan. 19 report to town council, explained the IYSN model is a “one-stop shop’”for young people from 12 to 26.
It is designed to meet a wide range of needs, including mental health, substance use, primary care, education, employment, training, housing and other community and social services.
The primary role of a planned IYSN site in Palmerston will be to provide programming – virtually and in person.
A site for the hub has been leased on Main Street in Palmerston, across from Norwell District Secondary School.
Staff members, along with many local trades, have been working to renovate the space, which was set to open at the end of January before the Jan. 12 announcement of a province-wide stay-at-home order, Martin noted in her report.
“It has been quite the endeavour. We got a hold of those keys in August and we were amidst a global pandemic,” Martin told council.
“However that hasn’t stopped the generosity of this community.”
Contributions to Dec. 23 included:
- $100,000 in donations through the Guelph Community Foundation;
- $25,000 from Triton Engineering;
- nearly $15,000 through the Centre Wellington Community Foundation;
- $11,948 from the Township of Mapleton;
- $10,000 from Blessings to You in Palmerston;
- $10,000 from Harriston Legion Branch 296;
- $8,000 from the Trillium Mutual Roots Foundation;
- $5,000 each from Moorefield Excavating, the Minto Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament and Get In Touch For Hutch;
- $1,000 from Rothsay – A Division of Darling Ingredients;
- $500 from Brown Insurance; and
- $255 from the Old Post.
In-kind contributions of varying value have also been pledged by furniture supplier Frovi, Dave Scholten Flooring, Wightman Telecom, Trusscore, Advanced Electric, Heritage Builders and Steel Tree Customs.
Martin’s report notes the donations will go towards capital purchases and ongoing operational costs of running the hub.
“We are continuing to get donations as we proceed in this wonderful process,” said Martin.
Mayor George Bridge said, “An amazing amount of people have donated and there are still more out there.
“We were hoping we’d be ready by the end of January and the kids would be there and we could start the programming, but we’ll have to wait.”
