Pictured: Leigh-Ann Ulch, Mary Ellen Alward, Youth Wellness Hub staff

A special donations is helping youth mental health in the community.

The local chapter of the Christian Labour Association of Canada has donated over 130 fidget toys and cash donations to the Chatham-Kent Youth Wellness Hub. Officials say the union has many members and families impacted by mental health issues, and they wanted to show their support for the tremendous stress local youth have been through the past few years.

“Our youth are the ones that will be supporting us, working in our hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement homes,” said board member Leigh-Ann Ulch, who works as a personal support worker at Meadow Park Nursing Home in Chatham. “We want to help them be their best selves and help them deal with things that are impacting them now.”

The Youth Wellness Hub in downtown Chatham brings together community partners to offer a one-stop shop for young people aged 12-25 and their families looking for mental health and substance use support.