On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Wood's Homes in Lethbridge announced the opening of the new Lethbridge Opportunity Hub. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Wood’s Homes celebrates opening of Lethbridge Opportunity Hub

Jan 24, 2024 | 2:36 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new centre aimed at supporting young people in Lethbridge is now in operation.

On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, Wood’s Homes in Lethbridge announced the opening of the new Lethbridge Opportunity Hub. The hub is a facility offering integrated support for mental health, addictions, life-skills development and employment-readiness training.

With the launching of the hub, two programs are co-located at 816 4 Avenue South in downtown Lethbridge. The Youth Employment Connections program and the Youth Support Navigation program share the building.

Shauna Cohen, Program Manager for Wood’s Homes explained, “They will meet young people where they are at, connect them with the services or resources they need for their current situation, and help them to develop job skills, engage in job opportunities, and just improve their mental health and overall wellbeing.”

Cohen added that the Lethbridge Opportunity Hub has been in the works for the last six months.

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Nash Epp is a youth employment counselor with Wood’s Homes, and had relied on the company’s services when he was younger. Epp said the opportunity to support others that need assistance has been beneficial for him.

He continued, “Having accessed services and then coming back to work gives you a deeper understanding of some of the impacts of adverse experiences. I have a lot of empathy for not so good situations and so it helps motivate me to come to work every day.”

These programs, along with others that Wood’s Homes runs, are anticipated to provide assistance to over 150 youths in Lethbridge per year.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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