100 Women Who Care Guelph has chosen the YMCA of Three Rivers to receive its most recent approximately $20,000 donation helping them to continue servicing their    Youth Wellness Hub, a program run in conjunction with CMHA that operates across seven sites in Guelph Wellington.  Along with 25 other local agencies, the YMCA of Three Rivers is making system navigation easy for young people, providing a space where they feel safe, supported and comfortable.  Every person between the age of 13 to 26 is welcome. Since opening the Hub in September 2025, it has become the busiest in the province. Kids can just drop in to do their homework, play games or talk to friends while accessing much needed resources and support to navigate their well-being.  Upwards of 40 kids per day utilize the Hub.

One of the many services and programs offered at the Hub is counseling for young adults to help them find summer employment.  The Back on Track program provides an alternative suspension site for kids suspended from school. Along with doing their homework, there are courses and programs offered that directly relate to their suspension with the goal of teaching them healthier habits and better behaviours before returning to school.  The Cook Eat Connect program teaches up to 10 youths how to make dinner for their peers. The Just in and Out program is for neurodiverse youth from across Guelph to experience their high school prom in a supported, more comfortable atmosphere. There are also identity groups for diverse youths.

Whether it’s learning programs, sports or just mingling with other kids, the staff and young role models at the YMCA Youth Wellness Hub are trained in mental health and first aid and can pick up on a youth’s cries for help. This drop-in centre might sound like it’s just fun and games but…it’s changing and saving lives of young people in this community.

Visit www.womenwhocareguelph.com for more information or to join 100WWCG