The Rotary Club of Bracebridge partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association of Muskoka Parry Sound (CMHA) to pack 100 comfort kits.
The kits are backpacks filled with essential items that someone who is dealing with homelessness may need.
Jon Denbok was recently named chair of a committee created by the Rotary Club to focus on the community’s mental health.
Rotary officials cite statistics from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit that 9.5 percent of Muskoka residents rate their mental health as “fair” or “poor,” which is below the provincial average of 8.2 percent.
“These statistics are staggering and there is still a strong stigma attached to mental illness that we would like to help the Canadian Mental Health Association – Muskoka Parry Sound break down,” says Denbok. “Although this partnership is in its infancy, we have lofty goals to help support people in our community.”
As part of Rotary’s partnership with CMHA, Don Smith, president of the Rotary Club, says they’re inviting any individual or business who wants to support the program. Initially, Rotarians will focus on supporting those who need transportation.
Diana Brown-Demarco, executive director of CMHA Muskoka-Parry Sound, calls this an important partnership.
“A caring and compassionate community is a large part of supporting everyone’s mental health and the Rotary Club of Bracebridge is to be congratulated for making this a priority for their organization,” she continues. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact we can have.”