A new initiative in Charlotte County will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday.
The Hub at St. Mark’s Church in St. George aims to fill gaps within the community.
Rector Mary Anne Langmaid says the idea came from members of the church.
“We began to gather people together to hear about the needs and the resources,” said Langmaid. “We really believe that, in order to do this, it has to be community.”
Langmaid said The Hub first launched about a year ago and has continued to grow ever since.
The centre currently provides a variety of programs, services, and trainings to people in the community.
Its main partner is the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick, which includes a community program coordinator and two employment counsellors who manage the employment program Working: Stronger Together.
Their space includes a training room that hosts a variety of trainings and workshops and can be used for free by local non-profits.
Hospice of Charlotte offers a grief support group on the third Tuesday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. Sophia Recovery offers one-on-one counselling sessions every Tuesday and there is a networking lunch every Thursday.
In addition, Ginger’s Scrapbooking offers monthly crafting sessions, while Family and Children Education (F.A.C.E.) is running an infant massage group every Thursday.
“A community working together to serve our community. That’s our passion, that’s our desire,” said Langmaid.
The building event opened as a warming centre during a really cold stretch of weather over the winter month.
Langmaid said they have received a lot of positive feedback in the months since they first opened.
“Everyone is welcome, everyone is included. There is no one that’s not,” she said.
Looking ahead to the future, The Hub wants to offer free community meals, board game nights, coffee house/open mic nights, tutoring services, pop-up shops and computer training sessions, among other things.
Plans are also in the works for an internet café at The Hub. They recently purchased five laptops and a printer, which are available daily for public use with free WiFi in the foyer space.
In addition, The Hub also has office space available for rent, along with a large unfinished basement and a large hall space with kitchen.
“If we could establish a way of being able to either rent or find support for the building to just cover the costs of basics, then we would love to see this building constantly being used by so many different groups,” said Langmaid.
“The more the costs are covered, the less times we have to charge for anything.”
The grand opening of The Hub will take place on Thursday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located at 28 Main Street in St. George.
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