The new HOMEBASE hub at the YWCA building in Regina is a place for youth 12 to 25 to access mental heath resources, cultural supports and primary health care needs.
HOMEBASE Regina is the third such hub to open in Saskatchewan for youth and their caregivers. There others are in Humboldt and Moose Jaw, with a fourth planned for Sturgeon Lake First Nation later this year.
When the province put out a call out for organizations to lead the provincial initiative, the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan (JHSS), which already did similar work with its integrated youth services, decided to answer the call.
“They were looking across the country and saw that integrated youth services was actually working for a lot of young people,” said Pamela Reimer, director of integrated youth services with JHSS.
Reimer said the organization was already working with youth in other provinces to create programming that would be more suitable for young people.
“They wanted to bring it back to Saskatchewan, but ensure that it had that Saskatchewan flavour,” she said.
The Government of Saskatchewan put up $3.4 million for development and operational costs for the HOMEBASE hubs.
Reimer said a team of six staff and 17 youth — picked from almost 100 who applied — are working together to shape the hubs in Saskatchewan.
Amy Louise Roberts is one of those youth.
“I notice, not just with myself but with others, that when it comes to mental health specifically, there’s a huge gap,” Roberts said. “The waits are so long and there’s so much stigma, and so youth feel like they can’t talk about these issues with their parents, the caregivers, their peers, even professionals.”
Roberts said she believes HOMEBASE will eliminate the stigma and create change for youth looking to receive any kind of support.
“My life now is dedicated to advocating for youth and trying to make that change that is so important in this community,” she said. “I have my own experience, my own views and my own knowledge that I can bring to the table.”
She said she is happy she can use her lived experience to help others and it has made her a stronger person.
“I am thrilled that these youth-focused and youth-friendly services are now available to young residents of Regina,” said Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr in a written statement. “HOMEBASE Regina offers an innovative way to connect youth with the supports and services they are looking for all in one location.”