SurreyCares Community Foundation grants $75,000 to Dan’s Legacy to support COVID-19 Mental Health Counselling for At-risk Youth
July 10, 2020
SurreyCares Community Foundation today announced that it will provide $75,000 to Dan’s Legacy to support the addition of a trauma-informed therapist to its team in order to meet the increased demand for mental health support for at-risk youth. The grant was made possible through the Government of Canada’s new $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund which saw over $900,000 allocated to SurreyCares.
“The COVID-19 crisis has increased mental health and food security issues with at-risk youth who are already struggling with psychosis, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. As many of these youth are homeless and hungry, they are particularly vulnerable to diseases such as COVID-19.” Said Christine Buttkus, Executive Director of SurreyCares. “It’s critical that we allocate some of this funding to support vulnerable youth in our community.”
The federal program is a national partnership with Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross. “We’re proud that Surrey is part of this national program and grateful to the Government of Canada for this much-needed boost benefitting local charities,” added John Lawson, Chair of SurreyCares. “We definitely need to do what we can to support our youth, many of whom face barriers in accessing mental health programs offered by the health authority.”
“We’re grateful for the support of our friends at SurreyCares, who have been a part of our team since 2017,” says Barbara Coates, Dan’s Legacy’s executive director. “Directing funding towards trauma-informed counselling programs like ours is a major investment in evidence-based harm prevention strategies, ensuring the youth get the critical support they need to help them take control of their lives and begin working towards their educational, employment and recovery goals.”
Individuals and businesses who wish to support Surrey charities are asked to give to the Surrey Community Relief Fund. In partnership with the Surrey Now-Leader, Surrey Board of Trade and The Saheli Foundation the goal is to raise $500,000 to be support the most vulnerable populations in Surrey. For 26 years SurreyCares has been committed to inspiring donors, growing charitable endowments and investing in people, ensuring that Surrey is a committed, connected and caring community
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Photo L-R: Baltej Singh Dhillon (Director, Dan’s Legacy); Kathryn Priest-Peries (MSW, PhD cand., RCC, RSW, therapist); Christine Buttkus (Executive Director, SurreyCares); Barbara Coates (Executive Director, Dan’s Legacy); Linda Annis (Director, SurreyCares)