Representatives from all levels of government as well as friends, supporters, and community partners were on hand for the official ribbon cutting at the Iroquois Youth Wellness Hub on Fri., May 22. Tinkess Photo

IROQUOIS – On Fri., May 22, The Municipality of South Dundas celebrated the addition of a valuable resource for their community, with the opening of the Youth Wellness Hub at 5 College St. in Iroquois.

The Hub is located in the former St. Lawrence Medical Clinic and will sharing the building with the South Dundas Archives, the St. Lawrence Branch of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada (UELAC), and a recently announced day-care centre planned that will offer 49 new day-care spaces. (The Glengarry Inter-Agency Group, currently operating care at Iroquois Public School, and the Early Years programs at South Dundas’s Municipal Centre, proposed the partnership to council recently.)

The first two partners named for the Youth Wellness Hub are Beyond 21, a non-profit organization that offers a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, and the Cornwall and SDG Youth Wellness Hub.  The Iroquois Hub will be a dedicated space built to ensure the community has access to the services and support it deserves.

There were many local dignitaries in attendance from all levels of government, including Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry MP Eric Duncan, Mr. Adrian Bugelli, representing Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP Nolan Quinn, Warden Francois Landry, representing SDG Counties, Mayor Jason Broad  and Councillors Danielle Ward and Tom Smyth representing South Dundas. They were accompanied by many of the people who had made donations, who worked with the partners, or who simply wanted to show their support.

“The opening of the Iroquois Hub is an important investment in the future of our community,” said Mayor Jason Broad. “By bringing health, wellness, employment, and social supports together in one welcoming location, we are making it easier for young people and those beyond 21 to access the services they need, when they need them. This hub will help ensure that youth across South Dundas have the resources, guidance, and opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.”

Angel Quesnel is a director at the Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) and director for the Youth Hub spoke of the importance of a place like this in a community.

“Today is more than just the opening of a building,” said Quesnel. “It represents connection, collaboration, and a shared commitment to supporting the people in this community. We are very proud that the youth hub will be part of this space alongside so many valuable community services. The Youth Hub was created to help improve access to services and supports for youth and young adults between the ages of 12 and 25.

“We know that navigating mental health, substance use, housing, education, employment, or other life challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially in rural communities where services may not always be close by or easy to access. I bring services together in one welcoming and access accessible location. We hope to reduce barriers and make it easier for young people and families to connect with the support they need when they need it.”

Michel Laviolette is an employee of Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie and Program Manager of the Eastern Champlain Youth Wellness Hub. He acknowledged the value a community places on the health of some of its youngest citizens.

“So, creating a space like this, and inviting community partners to be part of it, demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting the health and well-being of your community,” said Laviolette. “To the youth, in the community, even if some are not here today, well, there’s people much more youthful than me here today, but we want you to know that this space is for you. We hope it becomes a place where you feel welcome, supported, respected, and heard. Finally, we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this exciting new place chapter, the Iroquois, and we look forward to working alongside our partners to support the youth and families of these communities for years to come.”

Following the ribbon cutting by Mayor Broad, light refreshments were available, as was the option to speak with the parties involved and tour the facility.

You can find out more about the Youth Wellness Hub at youthhubs.ca/site/cornwall-sdg-youth-wellness-hub.