The Children’s Foundation Partners with Compass Community Services to Fund Mental Health Programs for LGBTQ+ Youth
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is excited to announce a partnership with Compass Community Services. The foundation is proud to work with Compass Community Services to provide multi-year funding support for Compass’ LGBTQ+ Support Line, which will help to bridge the financial gap for children, youth, and families seeking this type of support in Guelph and Wellington County.
L to R: Will Wycherley, Director, Support Services; Megan Harron, Program Manager; Catherine Dat, Clinical Intern; Joanne Young Evans, Executive Director; Emma Rogers, CEO; Karyn Kirkwood, Senior Director of Development
“At the Children’s Foundation, our mission has always been to nurture healthy childhood development, and while our programs have always indirectly supported the mental well-being of children and youth, we understand that now, more than ever, children need more direct and individualized supports that they can access with as few barriers as possible,” says Megan Harron, Program Manager of the Free to Grow Program. “Having access to safe, confidential, affirming services is mental health care and suicide prevention for LGTBQ+ children and youth, and it cannot wait, which is why this partnership is both timely and valuable.”
“Our agency is thankful for this annual funding commitment from the Children’s Foundation, as it will help ensure the sustainability of the LGBTQ+ support line. Resources are slim for the community in this regard, and our collaboration harnesses the power of community partnerships,” says Executive Director, Joanne Young Evans. “Compass has the service, and the Children’s Foundation has the fundraising expertise and ability to connect with families in need to promote the services available. This is what Guelph-Wellington is known for – incredible community partnerships.”
“Collaborative community partnerships are a step in the right direction, as we build on our program supports for folks who are often excluded in our community,” says Emma Rogers, CEO of the Children’s Foundation. “We are so thankful for Compass Community Services, and their wonderful team for driving this initiative forward to address the gaps for LGBTQ+ children and youth living in Guelph and Wellington.”
To learn more about the Children’s Foundation’s mental health supports you can visit the Children’s Foundation website at https://www.childrensfoundation.org/what-we-do/free-to-grow.
