PORT HOPE — Ontario has expanded its network of youth mental-health services with the opening of the Northumberland Youth Wellness Hub, a new site designed to provide faster, more convenient access to mental-health, substance-use, and social supports for young people across the region. The launch marks one of 10 new hubs the provincial government committed to developing, bringing the total system to 24 hubs now operating and eight more in progress across Ontario.
The new Port Hope facility is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to streamline access to care for youth aged 12 to 25. It offers free, walk-in mental-health and addictions support, primary care, peer mentorship, social services, and life-skills programming. The hub also includes recreational spaces, a community cupboard stocked with free essentials, and a blend of virtual and in-person services to reach youth wherever they live.
The expansion aligns with the province’s plan to develop a connected network of care under Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care. Provincial officials say the continued growth of Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO) is central to addressing gaps in service and reducing barriers for young people who often struggle to navigate fragmented support systems.
“Our government is continuing to take action to build a connected and convenient system of care that meets the needs of youth and their families,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As part of our record investments to expand Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario and supporting communities with the care they need, the opening of the Northumberland Youth Wellness Hub ensures young people have access to high-quality mental health and addictions services, closer to home, in a space designed just for them.”
The Northumberland hub was co-designed by Rebound Child and Youth Services in partnership with local organizations and YWHO. The collaborative development model is intended to ensure each hub reflects the specific needs and priorities of its community.
“Youth Wellness Hubs are about breaking down barriers and providing young people with the supports they need to connect and thrive,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “By expanding this network, we’re strengthening Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and making it easier for youth to get convenient, integrated care in a safe, welcoming space that meets their needs.”
Recent program data shows ongoing demand for the provincial network. Between August 1, 2019, and November 30, 2025, more than 79,400 youth made 423,883 visits to Youth Wellness Hubs across Ontario. New sites have opened in Thunder Bay, Maple/Vaughan, and Cambridge, and additional hubs are under development in Oxford County, Brampton, Akwesasne, Bancroft, Dufferin County, and Durham/Ajax.
The expansion is funded through Ontario’s multi-year mental-health commitment, including a $3.8-billion, 10-year investment under Roadmap to Wellness. As part of that plan, the province is allocating $396 million over three years to enhance access to mental-health and addictions services. An additional $8.3 million over three years is supporting the creation of the 10 new Youth Wellness Hubs.
Local leaders say the Northumberland hub will play a critical role in strengthening outcomes for youth in both urban and rural parts of the region.
“Our government is investing in initiatives that connect youth to vital support services across rural Ontario. I’m proud to have the Youth Wellness Hub in Port Hope, which will improve access to mental health and substance use services, support the development of essential skills and provide youth the tools they need for meaningful employment and long-term success,” said Dave Piccini, MPP for Northumberland—Peterborough South.
Pinder DaSilva, Interim Executive Director of Rebound Child and Youth Services, said the organization prioritized youth voices throughout the design process. “From the very beginning, it mattered deeply to us that the Hub reflect the voices and lived experiences of youth. They envisioned a space that was safe, inclusive, and welcoming—a place where they could find everything from social and recreational opportunities to counseling and medical care. Today, that vision has become a reality. We are profoundly grateful to our partners, funders and sponsors whose unwavering support and shared commitment made this milestone possible.”
Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky praised the hub as a transformative addition to the community. “The opening of the Youth Wellness Hub Northumberland is a defining moment for our community and its future… Looking ahead, I know this hub will be a cornerstone for empowering young people and building a healthier, stronger future for our community.”
Carole Anne Chiasson, Executive Director of YWHO, added that the new site represents a significant step in creating consistent, wrap-around care for youth. “I’m thrilled that doors are officially opening at this inclusive new space for youth in Northumberland County… Together, we are creating better opportunities and brighter futures with youth across Ontario.”
