The Grove Receives $150,000 Gift From Egg Farmers Of Ontario Toward Supporting Youth Mental Health and Wellness

GUELPH, ON | JANUARY 24, 2022 — The Grove, a Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario site providing youth in Guelph and Wellington County with mental health and wellness support, is excited to announce it will receive $150,000 from Egg Farmers of Ontario and Zone 7 egg and pullet farmers over the next five years. With three of its seven hubs open to youth aged 12-26, The Grove has had over 6,500 youth visits since its launch in summer of 2021. 

Three of The Grove Hubs are located in rural Ontario: Palmerston, Fergus and Erin in Wellington County. Passionate about supporting the mental health needs of rural youth, Egg Farmers of Ontario are eager to provide more opportunities for access. 

“This pandemic has been challenging for youth here in Ontario,” says Scott Helps, Chair of Egg Farmers of Ontario. “For rural youth, the support they need may be a drive away. Mental health services may be inaccessible to those without transportation, or without awareness altogether. The Grove’s model brings these supports to the Wellington County community, which are already making a difference, and we are proud to contribute.” 

The Grove welcomes support from its community partners as it prepares to open four new hubs in Guelph over the next two years, with one location opening in early 2022 at the University of Guelph. Other locations will include Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW), which will house a youth hub on the main floor of its new building on Woolwich Street, and The YMCA of Three Rivers – Guelph Location and Shelldale Family Gateway, offering integrated services. Guelph youth will also soon have access to virtual counselling services. 

“We cannot express the gratitude we have for the generous donation from Ontario’s egg and pullet farmers,” says Cyndy Moffat Forsyth, Executive Director of The Grove. “It’s only through support from our partners that we can continue to provide safe spaces for youth to access the resources they need — whether it be help securing their first job or coping with mental health challenges. Thanks to our donors, we can come to our youth and use proactive measures to make a difference in our communities.” 

In appreciation of the notable gift from Egg Farmers of Ontario, the kitchen facilities at each of the Hubs will be named in their honour. 

To learn more about the Egg Farmers of Ontario please visit getcracking.ca. For more on The Grove Hubs, please visit thegrovehubs.ca.

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ABOUT EGG FARMERS OF ONTARIO
Egg Farmers of Ontario is a non-profit organization that represents the over 500 egg and pullet farm families across Ontario. It is an independent, self-governing organization funded entirely by egg and pullet farmers. 

Website: getcracking.ca
Facebook: Egg Farmers of Ontario
Twitter: @getcracking
Instagram: @eggfarmersont

ABOUT THE GROVE 
The Grove Hubs (formerly the Integrated Youth Services Network) is a collaborative project, with the aim of providing youth ages 12-26 with the support they need to build positive, bright futures.

The goal of The Grove Hubs is to build a more effective health and social service system, through integration and collaboration, to better meet the needs of youth in Wellington County & Guelph. Hubs include 7 locations and feature the benefit of “one door,” with sites networked together.

At each site, youth will be given access to programs and services that provide guidance and support for the future. From education and career support, to counselling and peer-to-peer programs, The Grove facilities will provide help and encouragement to every youth in the community.

The Grove Hubs will include 7 sites throughout Wellington & Guelph:

Open Now:
East Wellington Community Services – Town of Erin  
Minto Mental Health – Palmerston 
CMHA Waterloo Wellington – Fergus

Future Sites:
University of Guelph
The YMCA of Three Rivers – Guelph Location
CMHA Waterloo Wellington – North Guelph
Shelldale Family Gateway

Website: thegrovehubs.ca
Facebook: @thegrovehubs
Twitter: @thegrovehubs
Instagram: @thegrovehubs
LinkedIn: The Grove Hubs — Youth Wellness Hubs

For media inquiries, please contact:
Alicia Baertsoen
alicia@durrellcomm.com 
519-360-8388

Myka Luchuk
mykal@durrellcomm.com 
613-650-9636