Compass to provide child and youth mental health services at new home

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Compass, the lead agency for child and youth mental health services in the Sudbury area, is moving to 1545 Gary Ave., the former site of Cyril Varney Public School.

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Construction will begin in early 2025, with plans to open in 2026. In Sudbury, Compass currently operates on Frood Road.

“This new location marks a significant step forward in Compass’ commitment to addressing the growing needs of our community,” CEO Mark Fraser said in a release. “We are thrilled to take this important step forward. The new site will enhance our ability to deliver services and play a key role in breaking down barriers to access, enabling us to provide even greater support to children, youth and families.”

In addition to its current services such as mindSPACE, the space will also house the region’s first voluntary residential therapeutic treatment centre for youth who struggle with serious mental health concerns, such as depression and anxiety.

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The facility will undergo extensive renovations to transform the former school into a state-of-the-art space tailored to the organization’s service offerings. Renovations will include modernizing the interior, replacing the roof, upgrading the heating system, adding windows and improving accessibility.

The goal of the renovations is to update the space, while also maintaining the history and original architecture, Compass said.

Compass cares for children and their families in the districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin Island. It offers free mental health, developmental and community services for children and youth younger than 18.

It has five offices located in Sudbury, Espanola, Little Current and Chapleau and is also the lead for the Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub.

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“Our centres are lifelines, supporting 700 families at any given time,” the agency said.

Compass is primarily funded by the provincial ministries of Health and Children, Community and Social Services. It has more than 100 staff that includes social workers, psychotherapists, child and youth workers, special needs resource workers, psychological associates, psychometrists and other health care and administrative professionals.

To stay updated on the project, visit compassne.ca/gary or contact Compass at [email protected] or 1-800-815-7126, ext. 2571.

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