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Huddle Portage la Prairie

At our youth hub, you take the lead.

Welcome to Huddle Portage la Prairie where we are a safe, welcoming, and all-inclusive space designed by youth, for youth. Whether you’re looking for a place to hang out, need a bit of guidance, or want to connect with community resources, our doors are wide open. From life-skills programming and cultural connections to health services and peer support, Huddle Portage la Prairie is here to help you navigate your path, your way. Drop in, meet the team, and find your community!

What we do

Here you will find your go-to spot in Portage la Prairie for youth health, wellness, and community! Huddle Portage la Prairie brings together free, confidential support, resources, and programming for youth and young adults aged 12-29. No judgments, no barriers, just a safe space to connect, learn, and grow. Come on in and see what we’re all about!

Where we are

1200 Saskatchewan Ave W,
Portage la Prairie,
MB R1N 0N2

Hours of Operation:
Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Admin day, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm by appointment only)
Tuesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

Saturday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Contact Us:
Phone: 204-240-8559
Email: youthhub@portagecrc.com

Visit our Contact Page for more resources if you need immediate help.

How to get here

Huddle Portage la Prairie is located at 1200 Saskatchewan Avenue West, on the corner of 12th St. N.W. and Saskatchewan Ave W. We are beside Fort la Reine Elementary School, and across the street from 7-11. Come on in and meet the team!

Who we are

Shaye Lernowicz (She/Her)

Program Coordinator

Shaye Lernowicz (She/Her)

Hi my name is Shaye! I have a Bachelor of Psychology with a focus on child and adolescent development. Whether at work or home, I am a fairly busy person always on the go. I come from a large family, and we spend a lot of time together having a blast. In the summer I love to explore new places and prefer to be outdoors. My favorite season is Winter, and love everything about it. I love learning new things and meeting new people so when you come to the huddle be sure to say hi!

Rene Harder (She/They)

Youth Support Navigator

Rene Harder (She/They)

Hi! I'm Rene. I'm Huddle Portage's Youth Support Navigator. My job is to meet with youth to find and connect them with services they may need in the area. I love doing arts and crafts and am super passionate about supporting youth! You'll often find me in the lobby making connections and chatting with youth who come in. Come say hi!

Malavika Monesh (She/Her)

Wellness Coach

Malavika Monesh (She/Her)

Hey, I'm Malu, Wellness Coach at Huddle Portage la Prairie. I have a background in social service work. I love helping others and I'm passionate about supporting youth through wellness coaching, emotional well-being, coping skills, goal settings and financial literacy. I believe everyone deserves a safe and supportive space where they feel valued and heard. I aim to bring empathy, positivity and encouragement to the youth I work with every day.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I value kindness, empathy and meaningful connections and I try to create a non-judgmental space where they feel safe. One quote I try to live by is 'In a world where you can be anything, be kind'.
Feel free to stop by or book an appointment to chat with me at the Huddle!

Randy Lilley (He/Him)

Peer Coach

Randy Lilley (He/Him)

Heyo! My name is Randy and I am a peer coach for Huddle Portage la Prairie. I love sports, card games, and I'm a huge fan of classic Columbo. (Yes, I am the oldest person working at Huddle Portage. How did you know?) My favourite band is the Tragically Hip, my favourite movie is The Shawshank Redemption, and my favourite colour is red, which won't be shocking when you see me in person. I also love to chat so feel free to stop by and say hi!

Ainsley Campbell (She/Her)

Cultural Support Navigator

Ainsley Campbell (She/Her)

Hi, I'm Ainsley! I am a Cultural Support Navigator at Portage Huddle. I am passionate about helping youth build connections to culture, community, and opportunities that support their well-being and personal growth. I believe everyone deserves to feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to be themselves. I am committed to helping maintain a safe and affirming space for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and all young people who access Huddle. Outside of work, I enjoy creating content, spending time with my cat, and getting involved in community initiatives.

Jacinda Houle (She/Her)

Cultural Support Navigator

Jacinda Houle (She/Her)

Aanii/Hello I am Jacinda! I am a Cultural Support Navigator with Huddle Portage. My Indigenous background is Ojibway from Sandy Bay First Nation located on Treaty 1 Territory. I am connected to my culture through Dancing, Singing, beading, land-based learning and Language. I bring these teachings and passions with me to share with others and hope to help youth learn and reconnect. I am learning every day and am grateful to bring these skills to Huddle to create connections and opportunity to learn. Outside of Huddle I enjoy creating art with friends, spending time with my family and my dog.

Justine Richardson (She/They)

Youth Mentor

Justine Richardson (She/They)

Hello! My name is Justine (She/They) and I'm a peer support worker here at Huddle Portage la Prairie. I've been working with youth for the past 4 years and am passionate about meeting youth where they're at and supporting in anyway I can. Outside of work I love to bead and craft. I spend most of my free time hanging out with friends and family, or taking a long walk with my dog. I look forward to seeing you!

Tynan Nutbean (He/Him)

Youth Mentor

Tynan Nutbean (He/Him)

What’s up! I'm Tynan! I'm a youth mentor here at Portage Huddle! I love cooking, baking, playing games, and fixing stuff! I also love helping people find solutions to problems in their day to day life and talking to people about the things they like and the things that bother them! You can catch me at Huddle doing all sorts of stuff. See you at Huddle!

Our services at Huddle Portage la Prairie are provided by Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation and Southern Health-Santé Sud.

At Huddle, youth have a safe space to be authentically themselves. We welcome and respect people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, ethnicities, faiths, race/nationalities, and abilities.

We empower all youth, families, and service providers to show the same respect to others and to celebrate each other’s differences

Get Involved

Create positive change in your community and lead by example! If you’re between the ages of 12-29, join our Youth Advisory Council to help plan events, lead workshops, make decisions, and provide valuable guidance to other youth seeking support.

Catch up with Huddle Portage La Prairie

Follow Huddle Portage La Prairie for updates on the latest events happening at our youth hub and helpful tools to live a healthier life.

Huddle is a safe space for youth ages 12–29, offering free, trauma-informed and culturally safe health services in a youth-friendly atmosphere.

Our youth hubs are located on Treaty 1 and Treaty 2 territories. These lands on which we gather are the traditional territories of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anisininew, Assiniboine, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the birthplace of the Métis Nation.