RBC supports RVHS Children’s Mental Health programs

RBC has made Rouge Valley Health System one of 78 organizations across the country to receive an RBC Children’s Mental Health Project Grant. In a special presentation on Dec. 13 RVHS’s Shoniker Clinic received $42,200 to provide funding for its Children and Adolescent Mental Health program.

The RBC Children’s Mental Heath Project is a multi-year philanthropic commitment to programs that reduce stigma, provide early intervention and increase public awareness about children’s mental health issues. One-in-five Canadians will experience mental illness during their lifetime and many of these disorders begin in childhood or adolescence.

“It is unacceptable that many Canadian children who need mental health services never receive them,” said Mark Beckles, regional vice president, RBC Royal Bank. “We are proud to support the work of Rouge Valley Health System. By creating and providing parents and health care professionals with access to a network of trusted sources, we are determined to help reduce the stigma of mental illness.”

Rouge Valley’s Shoniker Clinic offers outpatient mental health treatment for children up to the age of 18 living in the Scarborough, Pickering and Ajax communities. Julie Kish, Manager, Child & Adolescent Mental Health and Crisis Program at Rouge Valley Health System explains, “We are extremely grateful to the staff and customers at the Royal Bank for their dedication to the emotional well-being of the children in our community. The Shoniker Clinic will be using this generous donation to facilitate a series of workshops aimed at providing parents, educators and other community members with vital information on a variety of children's mental health topics.”

Jim Boyko, Rouge Valley Health System Foundation Board was on hand to help accept the grant and he pointed to the benefits the funds will have for RVHS.

“Parents and teachers in our communities will soon benefit from the education and materials that Julie and her team at Shoniker will be able to provide because of this grant,” he said. “On behalf of Rouge Valley Health System Foundation I want to say thank you to RBC’s staff and customers who worked so hard to make this gift possible. “

Mr. Beckles introduced Angela Whyte and recognized her as “the champion for the fundraising” and thanked her and all the RBC staff who supported the effort.

The RBC Children’s Mental Health Project is the cornerstone of RBC’s ‘health and wellness” donations program. Since 2009, RBC has donated more than $3.5 million to over 75 community-based and hospital programs across Canada. Grant applications will be accepted year-round from eligible organizations. For more information, visit http://www.rbc.com/childrensmentalhealth. To see all of the images from the event, visit the Foundation photo page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvhsf/sets/.