Boston Pizza and Kids Help Phone launch new online resources to help adults understand challenges facing young people today

MONTREAL, Jan. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, with the financial support from the Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, Kids Help Phone has launched new online resources targeted at parents and adults, to help them understand and care for the young people in their lives.

"We know that bullying, emotional health and online safety can sometimes be hard for parents and children to talk about – parents might not know how to start the conversation, or have the information they need to have a discussion, and young people can feel overwhelmed or hopeless and reluctant to ask for help," said Sharon Wood, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone.

"These new resources act to bridge this gap by providing parents and adults with practical tips on how to talk about some of the most common challenges facing young people today."

As Canada's only national helpline for young people, Kids Help Phone is committed to improving the well-being of youth, and informing and empowering parents and adults is another great way the organization has identified to accomplish its mission.

Kids Help Phone is proud to recognize the financial support of long-time partner Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects in developing the new resources. Over 21 years, the Foundation has donated more than $3.1 million to support Kids Help Phone.

"Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for mentoring and role modeling programs for kids across Canada," said Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director, Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects. "We have been a proud partner of Kids Help Phone for more than 20 years and are excited to bring this important and much needed resource for parents and adults.

We believe that strong role models inspire kids to be great and we feel  privileged to be able to help support the incredible commitment and difficult job parents and caregivers have every day in raising kids in our complex and ever-changing world. We believe that it is through the incredible work and services of organizations like Kids Help Phone that kids can reach their full potential."

Kids Help Phone's 2015 national survey of 1,300 teens age 13 – 18, Teens Talk: A Report on Youth Issues, where Kids Help Phone learned that:

• More than 40 per cent of teens are stressed
• Young people who do not have someone to talk to are 200 per cent more likely to be victims of violence at home, have suicidal thoughts and experience emotional differences.
• When they are ready to talk, 63% of teens confide in their mother.

About Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is charity that provides counselling and referrals as the only national helpline for young people. Since 1989, it has offered kids and teens hope and support through its confidential and anonymous service. As an organization that speaks with young people every day, Kids Help Phone works to share their perspectives and improve their well-being on a societal level. Kids Help Phone raises the majority of its revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community fundraising.

Accredited member, Imagine Canada Standards Program.
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About Boston Pizza
Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 370 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C. and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec.

For more information, visit www.bostonpizza.com.

About Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects
Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects was established in 2014 to raise funds and awareness for organizations that provide kids in Canada with role models and mentoring programs. BPF Future Prospects is proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kids Help Phone, Live Different, JDRF and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised and donated more than $20 million to directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

SOURCE Kids Help Phone

Image with caption: "From left to right: Julie Dionne, Marketing Manager – Boston Pizza Quebec; Suzanne Duff, Quebec Regional Director – Kids Help Phone; Susan Hallsworth, Director, Corporate Development - Kids Help Phone; Andréanne Deschamps, Senior Clinical Manager – Kids Help Phone; Alain Piché, Franchisee for Boston Pizza Joliette, Ste- Thérèse, St- Jérôme; Daniel Harvey, Regional vice-president - Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects; Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director - Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects; Dany Vachon, Franchisee ‎for Boston Pizza Lachenaie, Anjou et Lasalle; Luc Plante, director - Collège d’Anjou; Stéphanie Lajoie, responsable de la vie scolaire - collège d’Anjou; Frédéric Desjardins responsable pédagogique - collège d’Anjou; Michelle Schepel, Manager of Partnerships and Programs - Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects; Gabrielle Laroche-Stephen, Senior Marketing Manager - Boston Pizza (CNW Group/Kids Help Phone)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160122_C2206_PHOTO_EN_604464.jpg

Media Contact: Debbie Jussome, Jeunesse, J'écoute, [email protected] / (514)-217-4262; Alexandre Lainesse, High Road, [email protected] / (514) -816-4519