New Youth Wellness Hub providing support closer to home
The Ontario government is delivering on its commitment to make it faster and easier for young people to connect to mental health and substance use support. The Northumberland Youth Wellness Hub is one of 10 new hubs previously announced, joining a growing network of 24 hubs that are currently open with eight more in development, bringing the total to 32 hubs across the province.
“Our government is continuing to take action to build a connected and convenient system of care that meets the needs of youth and their families,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As part of our record investments to expand Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario and supporting communities with the care they need, the opening of the Northumberland Youth Wellness Hub ensures young people have access to high-quality mental health and addictions services, closer to home, in a space designed just for them.”
The new hub is Iocated in Port Hope and offers free, walk-in services for youth aged 12 to 25. Services include mental health and substance use support, primary care, social services, peer mentorship and programs to help with life skills. The site also features recreational areas, a community cupboard with free essentials and access to virtual and in-person services.
The Northumberland Youth Wellness Hub, co-designed by Rebound Child and Youth Services in collaboration with local partners and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO), was created to ensure its spaces and services reflect the needs of the community.
“Youth Wellness Hubs are about breaking down barriers and providing young people with the supports they need to connect and thrive,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By expanding this network, we’re strengthening Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and making it easier for youth to get convenient, integrated care in a safe, welcoming space that meets their needs.”
The milestone supports Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government has significantly expanded the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province to make it faster and easier for young people to connect to mental health and substance use support, primary care, social services and more.
Quick Facts
- Youth Wellness Hubs in Thunder Bay, Maple/Vaughan, and Cambridge have recently opened, marking a significant step forward in expanding access to mental health and wellness services for youth across Ontario.
- Between August 1, 2019, and November 30, 2025, more than 79,400 youth made 423,883 visits to Youth Wellness Hubs across the province.
- Ontario is investing $8.3 million over three years to expand the Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario program by adding 10 new hubs. These sites include the recently opened hubs in Thunder Bay, Maple/Vaughan, and Cambridge as well as the following hubs which are still in development and will be located in Oxford County, Brampton, Akwesasne, Bancroft, Dufferin County, and Durham/Ajax. This expansion will bring the total number of hubs to 32.
- Between 2020 and 2023, Ontario established the initial provincial network of 22 Youth Wellness Hubs that are currently operating or in development: Algoma, Central Toronto, Chatham Kent, Eastern Champlain (Cornwall & SDG and Rockland & Prescott Russell), Haliburton County, Kenora, KFLA Region, London-Middlesex, Malton (includes Peel Region and Mississauga), Niagara Region, North Simcoe, Renfrew County, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Sarnia-Lambton, Scarborough, Sudbury, Thorncliffe Park, Timmins, Toronto East, Wellington-Guelph, West Toronto, and Windsor-Essex.
- Ontario is investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to fill gaps in mental health and addictions care, create new services and expand programs through Roadmap to Wellness.
- As part of the Roadmap Ontario is investing $396 million over three years to improve access and expand existing mental health and addictions services and programs.
Quotes
“Our government is investing in initiatives that connect youth to vital support services across rural Ontario. I’m proud to have the Youth Wellness Hub in Port Hope, which will improve access to mental health and substance use services, support the development of essential skills and provide youth the tools they need for meaningful employment and long-term success.”
– Dave Piccini
MPP, Northumberland—Peterborough South
“From the very beginning, it mattered deeply to us that the Hub reflect the voices and lived experiences of youth. They envisioned a space that was safe, inclusive, and welcoming—a place where they could find everything from social and recreational opportunities to counseling and medical care. Today, that vision has become a reality. We are profoundly grateful to our partners, funders and sponsors whose unwavering support and shared commitment made this milestone possible.”
– Pinder DaSilva
Interim Executive Director, Rebound Child & Youth Services
“The opening of the Youth Wellness Hub Northumberland is a defining moment for our community and its future. This incredible facility will provide young people in Port Hope and across our region with integrated mental health, wellness, and community supports, all under one roof. It’s equipped with the services and amenities needed to deliver wraparound care that truly makes a difference. Watching this project come to life has been inspiring, and I am grateful to the Ontario government for their support in making this vision a reality. As a strong advocate for this initiative, I am proud to see our community take such an important step toward supporting youth and their well-being. Looking ahead, I know this hub will be a cornerstone for empowering young people and building a healthier, stronger future for our community. ”
– Olena Hankivsky
Mayor, Municipality of Port Hope
“I’m thrilled that doors are officially opening at this inclusive new space for youth in Northumberland County. Here, young people will find a full range of integrated supports—mental health, substance use care, primary care, housing, employment, recreation, and more—under one roof. This hub is possible thanks to the Government of Ontario, Rebound Child and Youth Services, and community partners who came together to make it a reality. Together, we are creating better opportunities and brighter futures with youth across Ontario”
– Carole Anne Chiasson
Executive Director, Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario
Author: Pete Fisher
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