HALIFAX, Feb. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Three of every five youth who access services through the Phoenix Centre for Youth require treatment and support for mental health issues - much higher than the general population's one in five. The Medavie Health Foundation today announced a $30,000 grant that will enable the staff at Phoenix House to continue to facilitate the identification and intervention of mental health concerns.
The Phoenix Centre for Youth provides support to enable at-risk youth to achieve their employment and education goals, ensuring young people receive the help they need to live productive and fulfilling lives. In the case of youth with mental health concerns, addressing these issues is often the first step on the path to achieving longer term goals.
"We recognize the strong link between homeless youth and mental health issues," said Ruth Rappini, Vice-President, Medavie Health Foundation. "Phoenix has become a trusted resource for at-risk youth in the Halifax area. We are proud to augment their efforts to identify and support youth with mental health concerns at this critical time in their lives."
"It is clear that early and effective mental health support dramatically impacts the quality of life of the youth we serve. What is just as important to note is that by providing this support we also improve the quality of life for the community in which our youth live. Medavie Health Foundation understands this and their contributions are making life transforming differences," said Timothy Crooks, Executive Director, Phoenix.
The Medavie Health Foundation is focused on developing partnerships and supporting programs in two core cause areas - child and youth mental health and type 2 diabetes.
To date, the Foundation has committed more than $1.2 million to single-and multi-year grant and partnership programs, some of which have yet to be formally announced. With the launch of the formal grants program and website earlier this year, this level of support will be expanded to reach communities and organizations across Atlantic Canada.
To apply for funding through the Medavie Health Foundation Grants Program, please visit www.medaviehealthfoundation.ca. Applications will be accepted between February 1 and April 30, 2012. Organizations must be a registered charity offering programs in one of the core cause areas.
About the Medavie Health Foundation
The Medavie Health Foundation is funded by Medavie Blue Cross and our partner, 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. Today, with a growing capital base of almost $30 million, the Foundation will provide a legacy to benefit future generations.
The Foundation is focused on two core causes that are 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.
As a not-for-profit organization, Medavie Blue Cross is proud to commit an annual social dividend of 10 per cent of our net income to the Medavie Health Foundation.
Follow us on Twitter: @MedavieFdn
About Phoenix
Phoenix provides support to at-risk and homeless youth in our community through a variety of programs and services, including emergency short-term shelter, long-term shelter, counseling, education, employment guidance and medical services.
At Phoenix, our work is to help youth transition from a place of need to a place of health and happy independence, to a place where they can pursue their education, to a place where they can maintain their own home, to a place where they can contribute to the community in which they live.
Our ultimate goal is to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness and to prepare youth for successful independent living.
Media Contacts:
Patty Faith
Director, Medavie Health Foundation
(902) 496-8485
[email protected]
Crystal Cowie
Director of Development
Phoenix
902-422-3105
[email protected]
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