Huddle Brandon
At our youth hub, you take the lead.
Welcome to our creative and inviting space in downtown Brandon! Whether you’re from the city, a visiting student or joining us from the surrounding areas, we’re happy to host you in our community space. We’re a place for youth ages 12–29 to access free counselling, peer support, substance use support, Indigenous cultural services, immigration services, and more.
Our services are free of cost and free of judgement. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted with a pair of cozy, knitted slippers and a cup of hot coffee or tea, your preference. Your comfort and safety is our top priority and all services are on your terms.
What we do
There are so many free events and programs you can join at Huddle Brandon, in-person or online! You’ll find health and wellness workshops, drop-in counselling, Indigenous ceremonies, group activities like crafting, movie nights, community breakfasts, and so much more.
Ongoing Weekly Programming:
Our programming is a combination of drop-in and appointment. It might change from time to time, so feel free to call ahead to confirm. In addition to what we list here below, we are also open Fridays 5pm – 7pm and Saturdays by appointment only.
Peer Support
11am – 7pm
Community Mental Health
1pm – 4:30pm
Peer Support
11am – 7pm
Employment Drop-In Support
1pm – 4:30pm
Peer Support
11am – 7pm
Employment Drop-In Support
1pm – 4:30pm
Anxiety Group
4pm
Peer Support
11am – 7pm
Primary Care
11am – 2:30pm
Youth Led AA/NA
7:30pm – 8:30pm
Peer Support
11am – 5pm
Where we are
701 Rosser Avenue
Brandon, MB
R7A 0K8
Hours of Operation:
Mon – Thursday 11am – 7pm, Friday 11am – 5pm (5pm – 7pm is appointment only), Saturday by appointment only
Contact Us:
Shaun Funk, Director
204-717-6565
Email: youask@huddlebrandon.ca
Phone and emails are not monitored 24/7. Visit our Contact Page for more resources if you need immediate help.
How to get here
Bus Routes:
Who we are
Director
Hello! I am Shaun—I love to learn, lift weights, and go camping with my wife, three kids, and my dog, Gunner. My wife and I grew up in Southern Manitoba, but have made Brandon home since 2007. I have an Education Degree and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Administration and Leadership.
Peer Supporter
Hello friends! I’m Sintu. I enjoy cooking, baking for my loved ones, and I love a good, strong, freshly roasted cup of coffee. I am from the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, and most of my family still lives there.
Peer Supporter
My name is Anita Labonte. Spent most of my youth and adulthood in Thompson Mb, a place that has its fair share of gangs, violence, drugs, and alcohol. Through lived experience, education, and my journey, I have dedicated myself in support of healthy change, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing as well as addiction services. I want to empower our youth and guide them in positive ways in order for them to overcome obstacles faced by so many.
Community Mental Health Worker
Hello! My name is Stephanie! I like coffee, sunshine and sharing a good laugh. My goal as a community mental health worker is to empower youth and young adults with skills and understanding that they can take with them and keep using long after counseling is over.
Peer Supporter
Hello! I’m Ardelle. I am working reception for Huddle Brandon. My favorite hobby is watching sports! NHL, NBA, NCAA and NFL are my most recent interests. Championship days are one of the most exciting days for me. My mother is a Brandon University Alumni and I am the youngest of 3 born in Brandon, MB but I grew up in Crane River (Oh-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation), MB. I also have family in Ebb and Flow First Nation, MB and Sagkeeng First Nation, MB but Brandon is where I decided to call home after my graduation in 2020
Counsellor
Hello Folks! My name is Wayne. Life is a continuous learning process. I would be happy to be your guide. Whatever the situation, it's better to face it with someone else. I love supporting people as they share the lows and highs of their lives, knowing that the future has terrific potential.
Community Mental Health Worker
Hi everyone! I’m Robin and I am a Community Mental Health Worker at Huddle. I am a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness and look forward to engaging with youth and young adults to provide person-centered counselling support to help others reach their wellness goals. When I am not at Huddle, you can find me in the rink watching hockey or travelling with my family.
Facilitator
Hi! I am Madison, the facilitator of the Body Image Workshop and the Self-Esteem support group at Huddle Brandon. I love sports, the outdoors, and dogs! I grew up in Foxwarren, but I moved to Brandon for school, and I have never left! I graduated from ACC with a diploma in Social Service Work in June of 2022!
Nurse Practitioner
Hi! I’m Berly and I’m the Nurse practitioner here at Huddle Brandon. I love sports and plays tennis, soccer, field hockey, cricket, badminton, and table tennis. I tried my luck in ice hockey, but I can’t punch (just kidding). I completed my graduate studies in Alberta and did most of my training in Manitoba. I moved to Brandon two years ago from Thompson, MB. I work with families- all ages, youth, and also do clinics at BU and ACC.
Addiction Services
Hi 😊 I’m Paul, a Community-based Addictions Worker here at Huddle Brandon. I like going to the gym and watching movies. I’ve been working with youth on and off for the past 17 years in social service and education contexts. I grew up here in southwestern Manitoba and have a B.A (Hons) in English Literature.
Employment Counsellor
Hello, I’m Heidi I help with employment services at Huddle. Resume help, job search and interview prep are my specialties and I look forward to working with the youth at the Hub. I like to spend my summertime camping, fishing - even though I don’t usually catch anything, and kayaking. I have 2 teenagers that keep me busy with football and rugby practices and I wouldn’t have it any other way!!
Counsellor
Hi! My name is Nikki and I love working with teens and young adults – it can be such an exciting and complicated time of life! Having someone to help you get unstuck, live in the present, and pursue a life you’re proud of can make all the difference. Together, we can work through anything.
Our services at Huddle Brandon are provided by a group of community organizations, including Westman Youth for Christ, Brandon Friendship Centre, Career and Employment Youth Services (C.E.Y.S. Brandon), Prairie Mountain Health, SERC, and the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.
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 and 29, come join our Youth Advisory Council, or start the journey toward becoming a peer supporter. You’ll get the chance to help plan events, make decisions for our youth-led programming, and provide mentorship to other youth seeking support.
We also have openings available for volunteer receptionists (ages 16+) as well as on our Parents and Family Advisory Council (ages 30+).
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, Oji-Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the birthplace of the Métis Nation.
