Portage la Prairie joins Huddle network, celebrating seventh Huddle hub opening.
Young people in Portage la Prairie have one more thing to smile about this summer.
Cheers filled the halls of 1200 Saskatchewan St. W on the morning of June 22 as Huddle Portage la Prairie celebrated its official membership in the Huddle network. Community members and network partners were invited to visit the newly-renovated space, formerly Portage Youth Hub, and to listen to speeches from government representatives, Huddle Portage la Prairie staff, and local youth
The opening comes a year after the Government of Manitoba’s announcement to expand mental health and addiction supports to youth living in southern Manitoba.
According to The State of Mental Health in Canada 2024 report by the Canadian Mental Health Association, only about half (52%) of Manitoba youth in need of mental health and substance use (MHASU) services actually accessed them. Youth living outside of major urban centres face extra barriers in accessing MHASU services, such as long travel distances, limited services, and stigma.
“Huddle sites are helping ensure youth across Manitoba can access the mental health supports and services they need, when and where they need them,” said Bernadette Smith, Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness in a recent news release. “Our government is proud to partner with United Way Winnipeg to expand access to resources and support services across our province, so more youth can feel supported, connected and empowered.”
The opening of Huddle Portage la Prairie marks continued growth of Manitoba’s integrated youth services network. As the seventh Huddle hub in the province, and with an eighth expected to be announced later this year, Manitoba continues to build a province-wide network of services that respond to the needs of youth and their communities.
“All of [my colleagues and I] grew up in Portage and have lived here for most of our lives,” said Jacinda Houle, a Cultural Support Navigator for Huddle. Jacinda is one of multiple youth who work at Huddle Portage la Prairie. “We talk […] about how we never had anything like this, like Huddle, in our community.”
“So this is huge.”
Huddle Portage la Prairie also hosted a youth event on June 23, inviting young people to tour the new space and hang out over snacks. Attendees were met with goodie bags that included sunglasses and bucket hats, which became instant favourites. Youth met the occasion with excitement, as they saw the space for the first time.
The celebrations over the two days highlighted Portage la Prairie’s ongoing commitment to building safety nets for young community members, especially those at risk of falling through service gaps.
“As these efforts continue to grow, more young people will be able to connect with the care and services they need closer to home,” said Dr. Doug Eyolfson, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg West. “Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.”
“The age-old saying is ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ but it takes a community to build that village,” said Shaye Lernowicz, Program Coordinator at Huddle Portage la Prairie. “[Huddle is] identifying and reaching into the gaps of our community and finding our youth to support and raise up. It’s youth leading youth in this crazy journey called life, navigating the road maps and being there through the good and the bad.”
“We are there to be that unwavering constant.”