Connections: African Caribbean and Black Wellness Resource Centre provides Black youth a safe place to connect.
Tuesday 18 February 2025
By Tom Malaba, Editorial Associate
The ACB Wellness Resource Centre has held its first session in which it intends to reach out to at least 100 youth between the ages of 12 to 29 years twice every month with a message regarding available opportunities in Ottawa and also fight drug abuse.
On February 18 at 610 Donald Street in Ottawa marked the start of the program codenamed Connections that provides a safe space for African, Caribbean and Black youth of ages 12 – 29 to interact with each other.
During their stay, the youth will be learning about mental health, wellness, black identity, substance misuse and future planning.
The ACB Wellness Resource Centre has partnered with Up-stream Ottawa and Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY) to on drug misuse.
Toni Jacob, the Chief Executive Officer, ACB Wellness said they were holding these session to help create awareness among the African Caribbean and Black Youth regarding available opportunities and also get them to talk about issues affecting them as youth. “Growing up in Ottawa there was no such program that why it’s here now,” Toni said of the innovation. Toni started the centre to help young girls get services she never received as a youth. “In ACB it does not matter whether you are black or white as long as you are a youth, you are welcome,” Toni told the youth calling on them to inform other youth to come and enjoy the free space that is going to run twice every month. “Whether you need housing, furniture name it we can always connect you to someone. So invite your fellow youth to come,” she counseled.
According to the Program Coordinator SAPACCY, Ebenezer Amponsah some youth were are into drug misuse that they even fail to attend school that’s why we want to reach out to them. During the session, SAPACCY will have its social workers on group who will be interacting with the youth. “Substance abuse is a problem in the community and is on the increase yet black people do not talk much about it,” Amponsah said as to why they took up the challenge.
Amponsah said they intend to have some interventions including counseling and treatment program to help those in attendance to get back on track.
While addressing the youth, Ottawa Deputy Mayor, Rawlson King called on the youth to take advantage of the opportunities as recommended by the leadership of ACB Wellness Resource Centre.
“Whether it is training or a job you want, there many programs within the city that can help you realize your goals,” Councilor King explained.
Doors were opened to the black youth at 5pm to 7pm and were entertained to music, they took part in games where they worn prices and were served a sumptuous meal and drinks to crown the evening.
