Ottawa, January 22, 2019 – Youth Services Bureau (YSB) today announced a joint donation of $500,000 from the Ottawa Senators Foundation, the Danbe Foundation and Bell Let’s Talk to support the Youth Hub at YSB’s new housing project for vulnerable youth.
“Helping youth transition out of homelessness and into supportive housing is a critical goal for YSB,” said Joanne Lowe, YSB’s Executive Director. “Thanks to the generous support of our partners, the Ottawa Senators Foundation, the Danbe Foundation and Bell Let’s Talk, youth living in this new housing facility will have onsite access to vital mental health support, as well as a range of other services, including employment assistance and primary health care.”
When it opens later this year on the main floor of the new building, the Youth Hub will be a unique and innovative approach to supporting vulnerable youth. Through the Youth Hub, critical mental health services will be readily available to youth living onsite without having to travel to other locations, often a barrier to accessing services for those with limited financial means.
“We are honoured to continue to partner with the Danbe Foundation and Bell Let’s Talk to support vulnerable youth in our community,” said Danielle Robinson, President and CEO of the Ottawa Senators Foundation. “Providing homeless youth with supportive housing and access to much-needed mental health services is critical to creating the foundation they need to build a rewarding life.”
“We’re so proud to continue to work with Bell Let’s Talk and the Ottawa Senators Foundation to provide mental health services for youth,” said Barbara Crook, Director of the Danbe Foundation. “Putting all of these services under one roof is a brilliant idea that will help youth successfully transition off the streets.”
“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to join the Ottawa Senators Foundation and the Danbe Foundation to support YSB’s Youth Hub for vulnerable and at-risk youth,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “YSB’s innovative approach is a perfect example of how to create pathways out of homelessness, including putting a priority on making access to mental health care and supports simple and effective.”
Over the past three years, the Ottawa Senators Foundation, the Danbe Foundation and Bell Let’s Talk have invested $300,000 in YSB’s youth mental health programs. YSB’s new youth housing facility, located at 2887 Riverside Drive, is scheduled to open this year. Those interested in learning more about this project or supporting it can visit YSB.ca and FoundingFamilies.ca.
Bell Let’s Talk Day is January 30
Everyone is invited to join the world’s biggest mental health conversation on Bell Let’s Talk Day by sending messages of support across multiple platforms on January 30. Bell will donate 5 cents to Canadian mental health programs for each of the following interactions, at no extra cost to participants beyond what they would normally pay their service provider for online or phone access:
- Talk: Every mobile call and every long distance call made by Bell wireless and phone customers
- Text: Every text message sent by Bell wireless customers
- Twitter: Every tweet and retweet using #BellLetsTalk, featuring the special Bell Let’s Talk emoji, and Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at com/Bell_LetsTalk
- Facebook: Every view of the Bell Let’s Talk Day video at com/BellLetsTalk and use of the Bell Let’s Talk frame
- Instagram: Every Bell Let’s Talk Day video view at com/bell_letstalk
- Snapchat: Every use of the Bell Let’s Talk filter and video view
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
About the Youth Services Bureau
YSB is one of the largest and most comprehensive non-profit agencies serving youth in Ottawa. It offers more than 30 programs and serves 3,000 youth and families every month in the areas of youth engagement, housing and homelessness, mental health, youth justice and employment.
About the Ottawa Senators Foundation
The Ottawa Senators Foundation empowers children and youth to reach their full potential by investing in social recreation and education programs that promote both physical and mental wellness. In partnership with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, alumni association, corporate partners and fans, more than $100 million has been contributed to thousands of initiatives and charities in the National Capital Region.
About Bell Let’s Talk
The Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative is focused on 4 key action pillars: Anti-stigma, Care and Access, Research and Workplace Leadership. Since its launch in September 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has partnered with more than 900 organizations providing mental health services throughout Canada, including major donations to hospitals, universities and other care and research organizations. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
About the Danbe Foundation
The Danbe Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg. It is primarily focused on giving to improve the quality of life in the Ottawa Region.
Media inquiries:
Suzanne Fraser
YSB
613-277-7103
Brad Weir
Ottawa Senators Foundation
613-599-0246
Jacqueline Michelis
Bell
613-785-1427