The Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health has announced that 32 non-profit, community-based organizations will receive grants for mental health programming. Individual grants range from $7,000-$65,000, totalling over $1.5 million. Funds were raised in 2009 by Canada Post through initiatives such as customer donations, stamp sales and matched employee payroll deduction donations.
Among the successful applicants were three Canadian Mental Health Association branches. In Ontario, CMHA Grand River Branch will host a support group to provide coping mechanisms for those at risk of suicide-related behaviours. CMHA Hastings and Prince Edward Branch will provide a community resource program to help individuals and families develop the life skills to make the shift from transitional housing to independent living. In British Columbia, CMHA Kamloops Branch will provide people with mental illness an on-the-job life skills training program through paid work assignments.
This fall the fundraising campaign continues with the theme “Deliver Hope” and a goal of $2 million. Customers are being asked to donate at the cash register. A portion of the sales of mental health stamps and mental health priority delivery envelopes, and Canada Post/Bell prepaid long-distance cards will also go towards the campaign goal.
With the support of customers, suppliers and the public, Canada Post employees have raised $2.5 million over the past two years.
For the complete list of recipients and program descriptions, go towww.canadapost.ca. For more information about the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, visit www.canadapost.ca/hope.