The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is excited to announce a new site in the center of Port Elgin, which will greatly enhance access to important community programs in Bruce County. The new facility will be located at 604 Goderich Street and will provide dedicated space for Employment Services, Settlement Services, and Community Initiatives.
While these services have been available across Grey and Bruce Counties by appointment for some time, having a permanent office in Bruce County is expected to help residents more easily find the resources they need. The Port Elgin location will feature a fully accessible resource center with computers, telephones, and comfortable areas for meetings and one-on-one support.
Staff from the YMCA’s Employment and Settlement teams will be present daily at this location, while other YMCA programs will also rotate through as necessary to meet with clients and local partners. The YMCA believes this new center will be a friendly place where individuals can seek advice, make connections, and pursue personal and professional development.
“Our YMCA is proud to serve communities across Grey and Bruce Counties,” said Sarah Cowley, CEO of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce. “From our Health, Fitness & Aquatics facility in Owen Sound to our Child Care and School Age programs in Owen Sound, Port Elgin, Ripley, Kincardine, and Hanover, we are deeply connected to the people and places we serve. With Community Initiatives, Employment Services, and Settlement Services currently based in Owen Sound and Hanover, it’s exciting to now have another home base in Bruce County. This new Port Elgin location helps us continue growing our impact and reaching even more people to help ignite their potential.”
The new office is set to enhance how the YMCA delivers Employment Ontario programming supported by both federal and provincial governments. These programs assist individuals with job preparation tasks like creating résumés, improving interview skills, accessing training opportunities, and connecting with local employers through the county’s Employment Service System Manager.
Settlement Services funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will also operate from this new location. These services support newcomers as they adjust to life in Canada by offering assistance with language development, citizenship processes, community integration efforts as well as access to recreation facilities education options along with other local initiatives.
“Our mission is to strengthen communities and empower individuals,” added Matt Shute Director of Community Initiatives Employment Services , and Settlement Services. “Having a dedicated location in downtown Port Elgin allows us to be more accessible to residents of Bruce County. It means people will have a welcoming place nearby where they can access employment supports settlement services , and community programs that can truly change lives. We’re excited about deepening our presence while building stronger connections within this community.”
The YMCA’s Community Initiatives division plans on utilizing the new space as well. These programs tackle issues such as poverty discrimination mental health challenges rural homelessness including youth supports justice-related initiatives responses concerning homelessness delivered together alongside Bruce County Housing.
The organization stated that expanding into Port Elgin demonstrates an ongoing commitment towards increasing opportunities helping folks realize their potential further down road Renovations are currently taking place signage should appear soon official opening date announcement coming later.
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