Medavie Health Foundation Supports Rainbows Program at the YMCA

Six New Brunswick Organizations receive over $100K in support of Child, Youth Mental Health Initiatives

Via-Medavie Health Foundation 

Six organizations in New Brunswick are receiving funding from Medavie Health Foundation in support of community-based initiatives focused on child and youth mental health. The funding is provided through the Foundation’s 2016 Grants Program, which supports targeted programs aligned with child and youth mental health, and type 2 diabetes.

“Through our grants program, we fund programs making a real difference to Canadians on an individual and community level. These organizations are providing unique and innovative programs and services in supporting New Brunswick children, youth and their families impacted by mental health and illness. It’s health care that looks a little different for it doesn’t start in a doctor’s office, but in our classrooms and community centres, and on our playgrounds. It’s the kind of health care we’re proud to support.”
– Patty Faith, Executive Director, Medavie Health Foundation

A $40,000 grant to Atlantic Wellness Community Centre will support Open Doors, a counselling program serving at-risk youth in southeastern New Brunswick by providing prompt access to integrated mental health care services. The Foundation also supported Open Doors in 2015, bringing our funding support to $80,000.

The Boys and Girls Club of Moncton is using a $15,000 grant to fund the Cameras for Healing – My Story visual arts project, part of the Context program supporting youth aged 10-15 in achieving positive mental health outcomes. The program provides youth with a creative outlet, while developing a healthier sense of self. This the third year the Foundation has supported My Story, bringing our total funding to $45,000.

A $15,000 grant to the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick is supporting Living Life to the Full, a bilingual, evidenced-based program that uses cognitive behaviour therapy in teaching youth participants coping skills and strategies in tackling life’s challenges. The early intervention program provides an essential bridge between assessment and treatment services. The Foundation funded the program in 2015, bringing our support to $45,000.

Through its Rainbows program, the YMCA of Greater Saint John provides peer-support for children and youth dealing with death, divorce or other painful family transition or life altering crisis in a safe and caring environment. A $5,000 grant is helping provide the program free of charge in the region’s school system, making it easily accessible.

Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada is receiving a $20,000 grant to fund Celebrate Courage in Atlantic Canada. This collaborative model engages young men and women to build healthy relationships and positive self-image and self-esteem, reduce dating violence and improve mental health. This is our second grant for this program, bringing our funding support to $40,000.

Roots of Empathy’s evidence-based program is focused on developing empathy in children and reducing aggressive behaviour, including bullying. A $10,000 grant will support Developing Empathy and Well-Being in New Brunswick Children in 10 schools, helping foster emotional literacy and build mental resilience, while increasing pro-social behaviour.

These are six of the 22 organizations receiving funding through Medavie Health Foundation’s 2016 Grants Program. Since late 2011, the Foundation has committed almost $7.5 million to single and multi-year grant and partnership programs, some of which have yet to be announced.

About Medavie Health Foundation
Medavie Health Foundation is funded by Medavie Blue Cross and Medavie EMS as part of a long-term commitment to make a lasting impact in the communities where our employees and customers live and work. The Foundation is focused on two core causes of particular concern to Canadians – child and youth mental health, and type 2 diabetes. It aims to bring organizations and communities together through collaborative multi-year partnerships and to support grassroots, community-based initiatives through an annual grants program. For more information and to sign up for our e-newsletter, visit us at medaviehealthfoundation.ca.

Medavie is proud to commit an annual social dividend of 10 per cent of our net income to the Medavie Health Foundation.