TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - College is a time of enlightenment and discovery. But it's also a time when many young people experience their first mental health issues and find themselves in crisis with little support.
Recognizing the significant increase in demand for, and complexity of, student mental health services, RBC Regional President Jennifer Tory presented a $550,000 RBC Foundation donation to George Brown College's "More than Me" program at the grand opening of the RBC King & Berkeley store yesterday.
George Brown College President Anne Sado and George Brown College Foundation President, Gordon Cressy, were on hand to accept the donation and talk about the More than Me Project. Also present was City of Toronto Councillor Pam McConnell.
"This pioneering initiative will allow George Brown to continue its work supporting students in the area of mental health," said Sado. "It will reduce stigma, soften pain, and ease burdens."
The More Than Me Project is designed to support a cultural shift in how staff and students perceive, understand and respond to mental health issues. It will help create an environment that promotes positive mental health, empowers students to access help, and ultimately ensures increased student success.
"We were thinking of programs just like the More than Me Project when we made the RBC Believe in Kids Pledge." said Tory. "It means that George Brown can address the needs of the whole student - mind, body and spirit."
This donation is one small part of the RBC Believe in Kids Pledge, a five-year, $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of at least 1 million young people. It includes investments in a wide-range of programs that will have a true impact on the overall well-being of kids, including the arts, sports, education and wellness.
The RBC King & Berkeley store where the cheque presentation was made will also help address the needs of George Brown students. It is located near the campus at 339 King Street E., and is the 72nd store RBC has opened in Greater Toronto in the last six years.
About RBC
RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships. In 2013, the company announced the RBC Believe in Kids pledge, a five-year, $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of one million children and youth.
RBC employs approximately 80,000 full and part-time people who serve more than 15 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012-2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations, and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.
About George Brown
Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three main campuses located across the downtown core, including its newest location at the Toronto waterfront, which opened in September 2012. George Brown offers 135 full-time programs and 189 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to a student body of over 24,800 (full-time equivalent) students, including over 3,200 international students; and over 61,000 continuing education registrants. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, postgraduate certificates, apprenticeships and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca
Image with caption: "Curtis Hitsman, Gordon Cressy, Anne Sado, Jennifer Tory, Suzan Kisa and Leo the Lion (CNW Group/RBC Royal Bank - Public Affairs & Community Relations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131203_C7050_PHOTO_EN_34245.jpg
SOURCE: RBC Royal Bank - Public Affairs & Community Relations
Mark Hamill
Director, Communications, Greater Toronto Region
416-974-3900
[email protected]
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