Take a step into Wallaceburg District Secondary School’s new student hub after school hours and you might find kids learning new card games, watching a movie or outdoors playing basketball.

The space at the school opened for students about three months ago, said principal Melissa Mallette. She said it gives them a place to go after school and offers them support and services closer to home.

“We’re trying to offer services for kids in the Wallaceburg area instead of them having to commute” to other parts of Chatham-Kent or Lambton County, she said. “It’s a safe spot for kids to come.”

The hub features a television, desk spaces with charging ports, music equipment, a full kitchen, laundry facilities, a free pantry, and exits to former parking lot turned basketball court.

It also has a quiet room for studying and three office spaces, which have been used by community groups like Access Open Minds, the YMCA and Linck, formerly Chatham-Kent Children’s Services.

“The idea is for non-profits to be able to bring their services to the hub after hours so that families in Wallaceburg will have opportunities, so they aren’t put out by the price of gas or they don’t have transportation,” Mallette said.

“It’s bringing what our community needs to the community to serve our kids and families.”

The pantry area features canned goods, personal items, feminine hygiene products and donated clothing.”

“It doesn’t cost the kids anything, so if they’re in need, they know that this is down here,” vice principal Todd Wood said.

Wood said students can also use the laundry machine and dryer if they don’t have laundry equipment at home. A staff member will assist a student with the machines if necessary, he said.

Some students also hang out at the space after school because there is a later bus from Wallaceburg to Walpole Island First Nation four days a week.

Wood said the space was built “from the ground up.” The floor was replaced with a new concrete floor and all of the amenities were built in.

It was previously a communication technology area and a music room.

“The outside wall was what it was before, but other than that, everything inside is all brand new,” the vice principal said.

The afterschool program at the hub runs until 4 p.m.

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4

© 2022 Sarnia & Lambton County This Week, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.