Manitoba youth news: Thompson is getting northern Manitoba’s first Huddle youth support site, and it opens in March at the BGC Thompson headquarters on Thompson Drive.
By Maplestime Manitoba Desk | Thompson, Manitoba | November 9, 2026
Sources: CBC News Manitoba, Huddle Manitoba | Last updated: November 9, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Thompson will be home to northern Manitoba’s first Huddle youth support site, opening in March at BGC Thompson on Thompson Drive.
- The hub will serve youth and young adults aged 12 to 29 with six core services: mental health, primary care, addiction supports, Indigenous wellness, peer support and social services.
- BGC Thompson, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and United Way Winnipeg are running the program together.
- United Way Winnipeg has a $10 million, five year federal commitment to run Huddle programs, plus support from the province.
- There are already four Huddle sites in Winnipeg, plus sites in Selkirk, Portage la Prairie and Brandon.
What Thompson Is Getting
A ceremony was held in Thompson on Monday to kick off the program. Federal cabinet minister Rebecca Chartrand and provincial Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith attended. BGC Thompson has expanded its existing building to host the new Huddle, which will be the first of its kind in northern Manitoba.
Huddle Manitoba announced the news the same day, saying the Thompson site will make it faster and easier for youth in northern Manitoba to get youth friendly mental health and wellness supports under one roof.
Six Core Services Under One Roof
The Thompson Huddle will offer health, education and social supports for youth and young adults aged 12 to 29. The six core services are mental health, primary care, addiction supports, Indigenous wellness, peer support and social services. Lianne Denysuik Maynard, executive director of BGC Thompson, said the goal is to eliminate barriers to resources, so young people can walk in and say what they need.
Youth will help decide what the site offers through an advisory council. Possible activities include land based learning, interview and workplace skills, cooking, woodworking and studying. Heather Block, director of Huddle Integrated Youth Services, said the idea is to put as many of the services youth need for mental health and wellness under one roof, so they do not need to figure out where to go for different services.
Who Is Behind It
Huddle sites across Manitoba are organized by United Way Winnipeg. The Thompson program will be organized by BGC Thompson, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and United Way Winnipeg working together. United Way Winnipeg has received a $10 million, five year commitment from the federal government and support from the province to run the programs. No provincial dollar amount was stated.
Trevor, a young person from Thompson quoted by Huddle Manitoba, said being heard and seen makes a huge difference in someone’s life, and he believes this program will do the same.
What Happens Next
The Thompson Huddle opens in March. No exact day was given. Once the building work is complete, BGC Thompson expects the site to bring young people together with things to do, and to give them a safer space in the community. Maplestime will follow the opening date and the full service list as they are announced.
Maplestime will provide updates from the Thompson Huddle youth support site as announcements are made.
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Does northern Manitoba need more youth hubs like this one, or should the money go to services that already exist? Tell us in the comments. And share this with every Manitoban who cares about youth mental health in the north.
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