Donor impact stories 2023 - supporting inclusive initiatives
We could not have imagined a better year, from surpassing our Capes for Kids $1 million goal, to reaching new heights at the Bloorview Research Institute, it was a year deserving of celebration!
This was truly a year of innovation and it would not have been possible without our incredible supporters and their commitment to the empowerment and inclusion of youth and children with disabilities.
To highlight this record-breaking year, we asked a few of our amazing donors to reflect on their partnership with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital:
Ontario Blue Cross and Medavie Blue Cross
At Holland Bloorview, we believe that joy is part of the healing process. Last year, Ontario Blue Cross and Medavie Blue Cross, through the Medavie Foundation, partnered in their commitment to three years of giving to the therapeutic clown program (2022-2024). Here, they reflect on being proud supporters of the health and wellbeing of children through the program:
Why did Ontario Blue Cross and Medavie decide to partner with Holland Bloorview?
Since the beginning, Blue Cross has placed an emphasis on people-centred health care. That’s why we’re proud to support organizations that protect, promote, and improve the health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. Our partnership with the Therapeutic Clown Program at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is a strong reflection of this commitment.
How does your support of the therapeutic clown program reflect your commitment to children’s health?
We are pleased to support the Therapeutic Clown Program at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital because we understand the importance of addressing emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as physical health. By providing kids with a positive and lighthearted experience during their stay, its great that the program helps encourage their physical and mental wellbeing. This complementary approach to healthcare is a valuable service to kids and their families who may be in a challenging and stressful time in their lives. We are proud to contribute to the success of the program.
Roots
This year Roots allocated 1% of online purchases to philanthropic causes through a program called Roots Cares. Through that initiative alone, the clothing company donated over $60,000 to various programs at Holland Bloorview – but that was only the beginning. To reach their Capes for Kids goal, Roots invited our clients to judge their team’s cape design competition. As a dedicated member of the Holland Bloorview board of directors, with an energized team behind her, CEO, Meghan Roach, shares her commitment to inclusion and accessibility.
Why is it important to build a more inclusive and accessible world?
All individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and to have equal opportunities to participate in society in a way that allows them to reach their full potential. Each of us has an opportunity to contribute to building this better world in different ways.
This was a big year for Roots and Holland Bloorview. What were you hoping to achieve and how did you make it happen?
Despite the great work done by Holland Bloorview, many people are not aware of the excellent services and programs the hospital offers to our communities and how we can support their work. Raising awareness is incredibly important. We also focused heavily on increasing community involvement. With 22% of the Canadian population aged 15 years and over living with disabilities, we have an opportunity to get more people involved in making a tangible difference in the lives of their loved ones, family and friends.
Prime Quadrant
With all the school closures, social isolation and the overwhelming feeling of darkness brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the last few years have been especially difficult for children and youth. Now more than ever, kids need access to mental health resources and care. This year, Prime Quadrant showed their dedication to mental health at Holland Bloorview by raising $120,000 at their annual Family Office Conference. In the coming year, Prime Quadrant will continue to fundraise via PQ Journeys, Lunches with Legends and this year’s Conference. Mo Lidsky, devoted member of the Holland Bloorview board of directors and CEO of Prime Quadrant, shared the company’s commitment to mental health.
Why did Prime Quadrant decide to support mental health at Holland Bloorview, specifically through the conference?
It all stared with the old adage ‘you are only as happy as your least happy kid,’ after I experienced the effects of mental health on children within my own family. From there, our annual Family Office Conference was created as a vehicle to drive fundraising efforts. The work we do, helping families optimize their financial world, would not be complete without helping the community fix the things that make them unhappy.
How does Prime Quadrant include disability inclusion and accessibility within the larger conversation of mental health?
One thing that’s authentic to us is that we encourage conversations about mental health. We don’t shy away from them. We encourage people to flag it, as we all know that a big chunk of the population deals with it. There is no point into pretending not to care or not actively engaging with it. We don’t pretend to have the tools, but we do drive the conversation, striving to be authentic and thoughtful.