GUELPH AND WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation is donating $288,000 to support The Grove Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, Wellington Guelph’s newest youth wellness centre.
The cheque presentation was made on June 12 at a special luncheon at the Italian Canadian Club in Guelph.
The Grove is a “one-stop-shop” for youth aged 12 to 26 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, officials say.
It’s also a place to hang out with friends, have a snack, charge their phones or play a video game.
There are six locations in Guelph and Wellington County, with a seventh under construction on Woolwich Street in Guelph.
The donated funds will go to the capital building fund.
“The amazing support from Rotary will help The Grove build what will be the largest of our seven youth wellness sites in this region,” said Jeffrey Hoffman, the Grove’s interim executive director.
“We are grateful for this generous gift and the ongoing support of Rotary, helping us provide essential wellness services to local youth.
“It was their years of focus on creating a resource for youth in our community that enabled The Grove to come to fruition.”
The Grove began as a Rotary-led project in 2018 following an inspiring presentation by Dr. Joanna Henderson who spoke about a transformational model which made youth the centre of mental health and wellness services, officials say.
What began as an Integrated Youth Service Network soon became The Grove Wellington Guelph, providing youth with safe spaces across the community to stop by, access holistic mental health and wellness resources such as counselling, tutoring and life skills workshops.
“Rotary’s steady hand and commitment to the initiative ensured that it turned from a vision to reality, supporting youth in a new way,” Hoffman said.
“We could not be prouder to see The Grove Wellington Guelph up and running, exceeding all expectations,” said Marty Fairbairn, past president of the Rotary Club of Guelph and current chair of the RGC Fund, which is managed by the past presidents of the Rotary Club of Guelph and directs entrusted funds to support community projects.
Over the past 30 years, the RGC Fund has donated more than $2 million to support local projects that enhance quality of life.
“Rotary will forever link the names of its members Cyndy Dearden and Paul Dredge to this endeavour with deep gratitude for their tireless efforts and vision,” Fairbairn concluded.
The Woolwich Street location under construction will be a three-storey 60,000-square-foot building that will become the region’s Centre for Children Mental Health and Development Services.
At this new location, 8,000 square feet on the main floor, will house the seventh Grove site. The Rotary logo will be on proud display at this location, officials say.
To learn more about The Grove visit thegrovehubs.ca. To learn more about The Rotary Club of Guelph visit rotaryguelph.ca.
And to learn more about the Rotary Club of Guelph Charitable Foundation visit: rgcfund.com.
