Huddle isn’t just for the community – it’s created with the community
Youth have the right to be involved with the decisions that impact them. They are the experts in their own experiences.
The success of Huddle depends on genuine connections with diverse youth and families in Manitoba to help address the existing barriers to care that they experience.
We aim to amplify the voices of diverse youth, including youth who are Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, francophone, Black, people of colour, newcomers to Canada, neurodivergent, have disabilities, live in rural or remote communities, younger youth (12-15) and their caregivers. This helps us respond with inclusive and culturally safe services at Huddle.
How does Huddle engage youth?
Over 100 youth from diverse Manitoba communities were involved in Huddle’s brand process. They informed its values and what these hubs should look and feel like. They brainstormed, drew and created alongside us, and then offered their feedback on the designs, helping us connect with them the way they want us to.
There is a provincial Youth Advisory Council that shapes our model of care at a higher level across our locations. This group of Manitoba youth directly impacts how participants access services in our province. They use their personal experiences to provide input and feedback, work as a group to imagine the future of our youth hubs, learn new skills, and meet new people.
Each Huddle location is also home to a youth advisory council that helps guide the direction of their Huddle. At the location-level, each council offers youth a chance to work with our teams on event planning, programming, giving back to our communities, advocacy, and offering peer support to other youth seeking help.
Family Advisory Council
Our Family Advisory Council offers parents and caregivers the chance to help with planning programming, fundraising, and awareness efforts for Huddle. We don’t just support youth—we support their families, and your voice helps us shape our operations and evaluate how well we’re doing. Plus, you’ll learn skills and insights on how to best support youth who may be struggling.
“Family” isn’t just limited to biological relatives—a family is a circle of care and support that offers enduring commitment to care for one another, and can be made up of individuals related emotionally, culturally, or legally. This includes those who the person receiving care identifies as significant to their well-being.
