Iqaluit non-profit wants $1.5M for community wellness hub

Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in Iqaluit wants to build a community wellness hub, and is hoping to come up with $1.5 million to do it.

"We are always struggling for space," said Gwen Healey Akearok, executive and scientific director of the centre.

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Healey Akearok said it's a struggle to findaffordable spaces to run programming that areaccessible and family friendly. Programs are often running inplaces like school gyms or facilities that are only available at night.

The wellness hub would be used to help facilitate Qaujigiartiit programming as well as expand the programs itoffers, such asfamily drop-in programs, counselling services, and early-childhood education.

One-stop shop

Ilisaqsivik Society and Tasiuqtigiit Hand-in-Hand Daycare Society are partners in the project andwill run their programs out of the wellness hub. Amalgamating these services into one building is meant to make social services more accessible to the community.

HealeyAkearok said the community is growing so fast these organizationscan't keep up with the demand for programing within their current spaces.

"The need is great," said Healey Akearok. "These spaces are really needed throughout the territory."

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The new two-storey building would be located downtown Iqaluit over two lots117 and 118.

"This would allow us to sort of expand and grow and reach more members of the community," said Healey Akearok.

Qaujigiartiit has been fundraising for a year and has received a $1-million donation from a community member.

Rental spaces to be offered

A Gofundmepage has started to raise money for the facility, which had raised$1,590 as of Monday afternoon.

"There's currently no existing community wellness hub in Nunavut operating with this model," said Healey Akearok.

There will be two rental spaces for other organizations in the wellness hub. The funds that are generated through rent will go back into the services being provided through the building.

If the hub is successful, HealeyAkearok said it could be replicated in other Nunavut communities.

"This is really about the community and our communities at the heart of this," she said.