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[Fergus, ON – August 25, 2021]

Skyline Group of Companies, in partnership with The Grove – Fergus (formerly the Integrated Youth Services Network), Compass Community Services, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington, is excited to announce the official grand opening of Skyline Community Hub.

The first shared community workspace in Fergus, Ontario, Skyline Community Hub will offer local children, youth, and families access to programs and services surrounding mentorship, counselling, workplace wellness, mental health, and other facets of well-being.

“This is an important day for our community as we recognize the power of collaboration,” said Fay Yachetti, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Skyline Group of Companies.

“Skyline Community Hub is excited to be opening its doors today, especially considering the impact the pandemic has had on our community. More than ever, our children and youth deserve access to the resources they need all in one place, while our community service providers require support to ensure they can offer these resources. We are very pleased to all come together with the goal of better supporting our children and youth.”

Located at 900 Tower Street South in Fergus, Skyline Community Hub will house a variety of like-minded service providers and community innovators who share a common goal of serving and supporting their local community. Owned and operated by Skyline Retail REIT, part of Skyline Group of Companies, the Hub is comprised of 13,000 square feet of former retail space.

Skyline Community Hub tenants include The Grove – Fergus, Compass Community Services and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Centre Wellington, among others.

“Skyline Retail REIT is pleased to formally welcome The Grove, Compass Community Services, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Centre Wellington to Skyline Community Hub,” said Gordon Driedger, President, Skyline Retail REIT.

“These groups provide important services and support to families and youth in Centre Wellington. We are honoured to host them at the 900 Tower Street South plaza, which has already been serving as a hub within the community.”

Offering subsidized rent and shared resources, the Hub will also allow community providers to spend less on operating costs, so that more funds can be directed back into the community.

After years of building and investing more than $1M of seed money, Skyline Group of Companies is proud to see the Hub come to fruition.

“To make Skyline Community Hub become a reality, it was important to seek input from local youth and community service providers to ensure it was designed to fit their needs,” explained R. Jason Ashdown, Co-Founder & Chief Sustainability Officer, Skyline Group of Companies.

“For our community to thrive, our children need access to resources that will aid in their development and support them through the tough times. Only when we come together through initiatives like this can that be achieved.”

Over the past year, children’s mental health services have seen an increase in sadness, low mood, anxiety and depression in children and youth. Skyline Community Hub will cater to this immediate need, while equipping local children and youth with important resources for mental health and well-being for years to come.

By partnering with The Grove Hubs, youth aged 12-26 in Fergus and surrounding areas will be able to access programming geared to their needs. The Grove – Fergus is one of seven sites across Wellington County and Guelph that aims to build a more effective health and social service system through integration and collaboration. This includes education and career support, counselling, peer-to-peer programs and mental health support. The Grove Hubs were modeled after The Youth Wellness Hubs, Ontario’s innovative and evidence-based “one-stop-shop” service hubs, which have seen success addressing the needs of youth related to mental health, community, and social services.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with Skyline Community Hub along with other incredible community partners,” said Cyndy Moffat Forsyth, Director of The Grove.

“Through this partnership, we look forward to increasing access for youth wellness and developing a new, key pillar in the community.”

To learn more, visit CommunityHub.SkylineOnline.ca and TheGroveHubs.ca.

About Skyline Community Hub

Located in Fergus, Ontario, Skyline Community Hub is a collaborative space designed to support community innovators and non-profit charity organizations in Centre Wellington. Owned and operated by Skyline Retail REIT, part of Skyline Group of Companies, the Hub offers a shared workspace for community organizations that share the vision of creating a vibrant community in Centre Wellington. This includes the provision of accessible programs and services that are crucial for the maintenance of good mental health and well-being for children, youth, and families.

For media inquiries about Skyline Community Hub, please contact:

Bethany Curtis
Manager, Content Marketing and Communications
5 Douglas Street, Suite 301
Guelph, ON N1H 2S8
519.826.0439 x231

 

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

For media inquiries about The Grove, please contact:

Alicia Baertsoen
Email Alicia
519-360-8388