Ontario Making It Easier for Youth in Durham Region to Connect to Essential Health Services
New Youth Wellness Hub will provide support closer to home
NEWS
January 24th, 2025
Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby, Francis Garwe, CEO of Durham Community Health Centre, Patrice Barnes, MPP for Ajax, Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge and Aleem Sufi, Board Chair of Durham Community Health Centre announcing the launch of a Youth Wellness Hub in Ajax
AJAX — The Ontario government is making it easier and faster for youth in Ajax and across the Durham Region to access vital services that will support their overall health and well-being by launching a new Youth Wellness Hub in Ajax, Ontario. This is one of 10 new hubs the government is adding to the existing network of 22 hubs bringing the total to 32 across the province.
“The new Youth Wellness Hub in Ajax is a transformative step toward a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive community,” said Patrice Barnes, MPP for Ajax. “By providing access to mental health, primary care, and social support services, this hub will ensure young people across Durham Region have the tools and support to overcome challenges and build brighter futures.”
Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) will serve as the lead agency for the Youth Hub and will collaborate with several community partners to ensure Durham’s youth have seamless access to support services. This initiative will enhance the overall well-being for equity-deserving youth, including those from Black, Indigenous, newcomer, and LGBTQ+ communities.
“We are truly honoured that Durham Community Health Centre has been chosen as the lead organization for this deeply meaningful and collective impact initiative,” said Francis Garwe, CEO of DCHC. “The Youth Wellness Hub in Durham Region is a testament to the power of Community Health, bringing together our valued partners to create a safe, supportive space where youth can thrive, both mentally and physically. We are excited to see the lasting impact this will have on the lives of so many young people in our region.”
Once opened, the new hub will connect youth aged 12 to 25, across the Durham Region to convenient and free mental health, primary care, and wellness services in a safe, inviting, and youth-friendly space. Other services provided through the hub could include access to community and social supports and employment services.
“Our government is continuing to take action to improve mental health services in particular, in communities across Ontario, and support people and their families living with mental health and substance use challenges,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we expand the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province, young people across Durham Region can easily connect to the care they need, in one convenient location, closer to home.”
With Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government has significantly expanded the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province, making it easier for our younger generation to connect to mental health and substance use support, primary care, social services and more.
“This new Youth Hub in Ajax will provide young people with access to vital services in a safe and supportive space, along with the community and employment resources they need to thrive,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “Operated by Durham Community Health Centre, this hub will be a valuable resource not just for Ajax—it will serve our youth in Pickering and Durham Region overall.”
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, the Government of Ontario remains dedicated to strengthening mental health and substance use services across Durham Region,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. “The establishment of a new Youth Wellness Hub in Ajax is an important step toward simplifying access to care for young people in Durham, all within one welcoming, youth-oriented facility. This hub will provide key mental health, substance use, and primary care services, ensuring that youth have easy access to the help they need.”
QUICK FACTS
- Between 2020 and 2023, Ontario established a provincial network of 22 Youth Wellness Hubs that have connected 43,000 youth and their families to mental health, substance use, and wellness services, accounting for over 168,000 visits.
- The 22 Youth Wellness Hubs currently operating across the province are serving over 31 communities: Algoma, Central Toronto, Chatham Kent, Eastern Champlain (Cornwall & SDG and Rockland & Prescott Russell), Haliburton County, Kenora, KFLA Region, London-Middlesex, Malton (includes Peel Region and Mississauga), Niagara Region, North Simcoe, Renfrew County, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Sarnia-Lambton, Scarborough, Sudbury, Thorncliffe Park, Timmins, Toronto East, Wellington-Guelph, West Toronto and Windsor-Essex.
- Ontario is investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to fill gaps in mental health and addictions care, create new services and expand programs through Roadmap to Wellness.
- As part of Budget 2024, Building a Better Ontario, the government is building on its work through the Roadmap by investing an additional $396 million over three years to improve access and expand existing mental health and addictions services and programs.
QUOTES
“Through the ongoing expansion of our Youth Wellness Hub Ontario network, our government is making sure that youth across the province can easily access top-tier mental health and addiction support whenever and wherever they need it. The new Youth Wellness Hub Ontario in Ajax will provide a safe space for young people to feel supported and connected to a community, offering them the resources and tools to navigate life’s challenges.”
– Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA CONTACT:
Eric Hutchins,
Office of Lorne Coe,
MPP Whitby
905-430-1141
Lorne.coeco@pc.ola.org
Edward White
Office of Peter Bethlenfalvy,
MPP Pickering-Uxbridge
905-509-0336
Peter.bethlenfalvyco@pc.ola.org
Sehar Lutfi
Office of Patrice Barnes,
MPP Ajax
905-427-2060
sehar.lutfi@pc.ola.org
Doug Ellis
Office of Todd McCarthy,
MPP Durham
905-697-1501
douglas.ellis@pc.ola.org