NEWS RELEASE THE GROVE WELLINGTON GUELPH
Over the 2023 holidays, The Grove Wellington Guelph asked the community for donations to provide integrated mental health, well-being, and life-skills services to youth across Guelph and Wellington County. The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora answered the call and donated $25,000. During the month of December, Linamar Corporation committed to matching all donations made to The Grove, generating a $50,000 impact supporting The Grove Hubs in Fergus and the Youth Ambassador Program.
“The generous donation from The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora has amplified our ability to make a real difference in the lives of local youth navigating mental health challenges,” said Jeff Hoffman, executive director of The Grove Wellington Guelph. “The Rotary Club’s commitment to our community exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and collective impact that defines The Grove Hub’s mission.
On Jan. 16, The Rotary Club Fergus-Elora presented the $25,000 cheque to The Grove. Rotary is an organization consisting of over 30 thousand service clubs and 1.2 million member volunteers throughout the world. Through humanitarian projects, The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora is committed to making lasting change and helping build a stronger community.
“We’re constantly on the lookout for opportunities to make a positive, lasting difference in people’s lives within our communities, and this project presented the ideal opportunity,” said Dr. Bob Wright, co-president of The Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora. “We’re thrilled to have been able to contribute to The Grove because investing in youth is crucial—they’re the next generation shaping our tomorrow.”
The Youth Ambassador Program at The Grove is a foundation of community engagement, where youth ambassadors oversee the drop-in programs, ensuring a warm welcome for every youth. Their role goes beyond providing a friendly face, offering facility tours, engaging in peer-to-peer support, and actively participating in an array of programming, from workshops to events. The Youth Ambassadors play a pivotal part in shaping The Grove’s programming by providing relatable services and content, tailored specifically by youth, for youth.
Local public health data for Guelph and Wellington County shows that 1-in-5 youth in the region require mental health support. In 2023, The Grove Hubs received over 32,000 youth visits across its sites, providing support, resources, programming and mental health services to youth, providing an accessible solution to an ongoing problem.
To learn more about The Grove Hubs and how you can support the organization through donations, visit their website.
