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.