Local Youth are Swarming The Hive

It’s been a number of months since The Hive officially opened its doors on Main Street in Bonnyville and the community support and program attendance have been significant.

In the month of September, The Hive welcomed nearly 100 local youth through their doors. The most popular activity at The Hive has been the available social space to hang out with friends, to paint, and create as well as some fitness classes.

The Hive recently hosted a Career Fair with local agencies including Lakeland HR Solutions, Lakeland Employment Services, Rupertsland Institute, CAREERS Cold Lake for the benefit of dozens of students. Information sessions on resume building, local internships and work experience were featured at the Career Fair in addition to providing interview practise.

The Hive team recently welcomed Ruger, a beautiful, friendly dog from the Chimo Animal Assisted Wellness and Learning Society (CAAWLS). Ruger will be visiting The Hive once or twice a week to provide an aspect of wellness, through his calm and friendly nature that is unique to pets like him!

Beyond The Hive staff, Ruger the wellness dog visits, activities, and youth-based programming, The Hive is home to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health program, accessed through a separate exterior door. This program is provincially and locally funded and provides access to social workers, mental health therapists, or physicians after a medical referral is provided by the family physician with the parent or guardian’s consent. The family meets with the certified team members and they assess any needs together. Once a support plan has been created, it can be delivered on an ongoing basis in the safe space of The Hive.

The structure, support, and success of The Hive is unique and quickly garnering attention from other health associations across the province as a blueprint for delivering a safe social space for young adults as well as information and access to health support.

An open house is being planned for Tuesday, October 25 from 6-9 pm where The Hive team will welcome parents, teachers, and community associations to visit and see the existing space for themselves as well as hear about exciting future plans for growth.

Check out www.thehivelakeland.ca and follow along with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Please contact Aimie Kathan, Youth Coordinator at 587.201.2528 for more information about The Hive or the open house event.