The County of Renfrew, Pembroke Regional Hospital, and various community partners came together on February 5 to celebrate the official launch of the Renfrew County Mesa HART Hub at the Carefor Mackay Centre in Pembroke. Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony (from left) were Deputy Chief Mathieu Grenier from the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service; Sharon Maye, Director of Retirement Home Services & Wellness at Carefor; Tara Edeh, HART Hub Site Manager; Sabine Mersman, President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital; Craig Kelley, Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Renfrew; MPP John Jordan, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health; Renfrew County Warden Jennifer Murphy; MPP Billy Denault from Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke; Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais; County Councillor Peter Emon; Lianna Sullivan from Mackay Manor; Kim Johnston from Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre – Pembroke; Kim Mac Leod from Renfrew Victoria Hospital-Addictions Treatment Service and Molly Fulton, HART Hub Lead.
RELEASE DATE:
February 5, 2026
The County of Renfrew is excited to announce the official launch of the Renfrew County Mesa HART Hub. This new service enhances access to quality mental health, addictions, and housing support for residents facing homelessness or challenges related to mental health and substance use.
In January 2025, Ontario’s Province chose a partnership between the County of Renfrew and Pembroke Regional Hospital to establish a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in collaboration with local organizations. The Hub follows the Mesa model-a cooperative approach designed for providing compassionate care that’s well-coordinated.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on February 5 at Carefor Mackay Centre in Pembroke-home to the Bridge Housing segment of the Renfrew County Mesa HART Hub. Local officials and staff were joined by MPP Billy Denault from Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke and MPP John Jordan. After discussing details about this initiative, attendees toured the facility.
“As a county-wide provider of mental health services and a key partner in this effort, we’re incredibly proud of what has been accomplished so far for those in vulnerable parts of our communities,” said Sabine Mersmann, President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital. “Now more than ever, it’s vital to utilize collective knowledge through close collaboration with others. Ontario’s investment into this project shows that commitment and we are thrilled to be part of it along with its anticipated outcomes.”
Unique within rural Ontario, the Renfrew County Mesa HART Hub implements a “hub-and-spoke” system that enables clients to easily navigate between a 24/7 Intake Centre and established community access points. A three-year investment totaling $6.3 million from Ontario supports this coordinated framework ensuring assistance is available close to home for residents. Additional elements include Bridge Housing units as well as supportive treatment beds. The HART Hub collaborates with over 17 local agencies alongside municipalities, first responders, and individuals who have lived experience.
Warden Jennifer Murphy stated that this hub reflects how well our county can develop solutions driven by community needs.
“The launch of this HART Hub signifies a change in how we tackle complex issues within our community: moving from disjointed support systems towards an organized care model. By fostering strong partnerships across healthcare fields as well as social services agencies-and others-Renfrew County is creating an approach grounded in compassion and accountability,” she remarked. “The HART Hub gathers essential partners right where they’re needed most-to link individuals with help when they need it most. This solution comes directly from our community through collaborative efforts like Mesa because we believe everyone deserves their chance at wellness.”
Since October 2025, Carefor’s Bridge Housing program has provided short-term accommodations aimed at aiding people transitioning out of homelessness toward permanent housing solutions. So far, twelve clients have made use of all twelve beds available on-site.
In December 2025 another ten supportive treatment beds became available at a nearby motel offering comprehensive care focused on stability-building goals.
The Warming Centre located at 156 John Street transitioned into being recognized as part of the HART Hub Intake Centre starting April 1st ,2025. This updated model includes improved health coaching along with system navigation combined with round-the-clock low-barrier access designed specifically for those looking for warmth, safety, and connections. Between April1stand December31st ,2025, the Center recorded6 ,503 visits coming from623non-unique visitorsas wellas229 unique guests.
Quotes:
The opening ceremony for Ren frew County H ARTHub marksan important step forwardinhelpingpeopleconnecttoessentialcare closeto their homes. As partof Ontario’snetworkof28H ARTHubs, thislocationwill deliver moreintegratedcommunityservicesaimedat promotingrecoveryandbetteraccesswhileimproving safetyforindividualsandfamiliesacrosstheprovince.”
– Vijay Thanigasalam , Associate Ministerof Mental Healthand Addictions
“Forourcommunity, the H ARTHubmeansthatourmostvulnerablecanfindsupportinoneplace, rightwhenit’stime, andwithdignity. It strengthensavailablelocalresources ensuringno onefalls throughthecracks. We appreciateourprovince’sannualcontributiontowardprovidingthesecriticalservicescloserto home.”
– MPP Billy Denault, R enf rew-Nip issing-Pembrok e
“Weareexcitedtopartneronthe H ARTHubprogramtogetherwiththe Countyo f Renfrewand Pembroke Regional Hospital. Thiscollaborativework alignswellwith Carefor’smissionwhilehighlightingthesystemwideimpactthatstablehousingbrings- boostinghealthoutcomes, reducingpressureonhealthcareservices, andbuildingstrongercommunities.”
– Steve P erry, P residentand CEO, C arefo r Healthand Community Services
FOR MOREINFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Kelley Chief Administrative Officer 613-735-7288
Tina Peplinskie Media Relations Coordinator 613-735-7288
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