Youth in Portage la Prairie have a new safe place to turn to for support, connection, and community.
Local leaders, government officials, service providers, and others recently gathered to celebrate the long-awaited launch of Huddle Portage la Prairie.
“It’s been quite a journey to get here with this project, and we’re so excited about it,” said Mari Kozar, Executive Director of the Portage la Prairie Revitalization Corporation (PCRC). “We originally started applications for the seedlings of what this project could be in 2020.”
Huddle Youth Hubs welcome young people aged 12-29 to an inclusive space offering free, trauma-informed, culturally safe services and are part of ongoing efforts to lower barriers to accessing health, wellness, and social services for young people in Manitoba.
This integrated approach is essential for young people who might otherwise struggle to navigate complex systems or access support early. Huddle Youth Hubs are a joint initiative led by United Way Winnipeg and the Manitoba government, with support from Health Canada and other partners.
Beyond the services they offer, Huddle Youth Hubs are also essential in creating a sense of belonging among young people in communities across the province.
“The age-old saying is, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ but it takes a community to build that village,” said Shaye Lernowicz, Youth Hub Coordinator at PCRC. “And we are here to be that unwavering constant. We want to meet you regardless of the why that brings you in.”
This shared commitment among government, community organizations, and local leaders ensures that Portage la Prairie youth have a familiar place where people show up for them.
“It will impact this community in such an empowering and upstream way that we have been dreaming up for many years,” said Kozar.
Many Huddle employees bring lived experience to their work, lending a unique approach and understanding what young people might be experiencing.
“Most of us working in Huddle, when we were young, we never had anything like this in our community,” said Jacinda Houle, Youth Spokesperson and Cultural Support Navigator, Huddle Portage la Prairie. “Having this space means a lot.”
The launch of Huddle Portage la Prairie also represents a broader commitment to youth across Manitoba. The investment ensures that every young person knows they are supported, valued, and never alone.
Young Manitobans can self-refer and make an appointment or attend specific drop-in days to meet with a practitioner at one of seven Huddle Youth Hubs across Manitoba.
“Every young person deserves access to support, connection and opportunities to thrive,” said Houle.
