By Mischa Nagtalon, Program Supervisor at the Inglewood Opportunity Hub
In the heart of Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood, there’s a place where young people facing some of life’s greatest challenges are not just welcomed: they’re seen, heard, and valued. The Inglewood Opportunity Hub (IOH), operated by Wood’s Homes, is a community built on the principle of radical hospitality — a deep, intentional commitment to change how youth and young adults receive support with compassion, dignity, and care.
Wood’s Homes has supported youth and young adults experiencing crises related to homelessness and mental health for over 30 years. With the opening of the IOH in 2018, the organization deepened its commitment to individuals ages 16 to 29 experiencing multiple barriers related to trauma, neglect, and prejudice.
The mission of Wood’s Homes — to build good mental health and well-being so everyone can thrive in their community — comes to life at the IOH through every warm meal served, every trauma-informed conversation, and every opportunity created. Radical hospitality is embedded in the daily practices of the IOH. It starts with simple but powerful gestures — a smile, a shared meal, a hot cup of coffee. These moments are more than kindness; they are intentional openings to deeper care and immersive contact with IOH services.
From these initial moments, youth and young adults become involved in multiple health and wellbeing, employment, or housing services as well as social enterprise initiatives. This multi-service “one-stop” model ensures that an individual seeking help doesn’t navigate a maze of disconnected services. Transformation is not rushed in the delivery of IOH services; IOH creates the conditions where fundamental stability starts. Youth and young adults are met where they are, physically and emotionally, and offered the time and space they need to build trust, set goals, and heal. IOH services reflect a commitment to holistic support and client-driven care.
Radical hospitality and a HUB approach works. In 2024, over 3,000 services were provided to youth and young adults in Calgary.
- IOH Mobile Outreach team made 2,235 contacts with food and hygiene products.
- 851 hours of pre-employment coaching resulted in 34 young people in paid work.
- 79 low or no-cost wellness events were hosted at IOH.
- 38 youth and young adults completed housing applications.
- 27 youth and young adults re-engaged in school.
One client shared, “In all of our journeys the biggest thing we search for is a safe, caring community… Inglewood Opportunity Hub gives us the help we need, while also giving us the time we need to reach the point of accepting that help.”
Radical hospitality at the IOH means shifting a service delivery model that is superficial, prescriptive, and disconnected to one that is immersive, organic, and community focused. In a world where youth and young adults facing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and systemic barriers are too often pushed to the margins, the IOH responds with radical hospitality. Radical hospitality creates the conditions for healing and growth, empowering young people to build their futures by starting from the simplest act of making space. And in that space, youth don’t just survive. They begin to thrive.
For more information, go to https://www.woodshomes.ca/inglewood-opportunity-hub/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the most recent edition of the Inglewood Opportunity Outlook.
