November 2021

Today, the Niagara community and even Niagara Falls is turning Plaid in support of #ProjectPlaid, a mental health movement in support of Pathstone Mental Health.

Following the tragic loss of Amelia Durocher to suicide in February of 2019, her mother Shanta Rangaratnam channeled her energy and grief into #ProjectPlaid. Plaid was Amelia’s signature style, whether she was out with friends, heading to class at Brock or to work at Winner’s you would typically see something plaid on Amelia.

Today, is Plaid Friday, where you are encouraged to wear plaid, talk about mental health and donate to Pathstone. A number of companies, schools, clubs and individuals have joined the movement including the Niagara Catholic District School Board with more than 50 schools planning their own #Projectplaid events. Earlier this week a number of schools and companies launched into the #ProjectPlaid spirit, including St. Michael’s Secondary School in Niagara Falls.

At Niagara Catholic, we are excited to join #ProjectPlaid. It is our goal to have students join this mental health movement by wearing plaid on November 26th, to continue to raise awareness about mental health in our schools. Our goal is to reduce stigma, while raising funds to support the excellent mental health programs at Pathstone Mental Health, that all work to support our students and their families.
Camillo Cipriano, Director of Education, Niagara Catholic District School Board.

We are so thrilled at the response from our community to this campaign and the conversations that are being held at work, play, and in schools around mental health and wellness. Those who are donating to the campaign should know that we are inching closer to our $30,000 goal, which will alleviate some of the pressure that Pathstone programs have been under especially through the pandemic.
Kim Rossi, Director of Philanthropy & PR- Pathstone Foundation.

Special offers to the public to mark #ProjectPlaid include:

ALL Meridian locations are selling #ProjectPlaid signature toques for $25 each. You can also donate to receive a #ProjectPlaid sticker.
Urban Cravings – 3 locations in St. Catharines and Foothill will donate $1 for every rice bowl sold today.
Harvey’s – Niagara Falls locations will donate $2 for every Angus Burger Combo sold.
Upper Deck – St. Catharines is donating 10% of food sale profits.
Zippy Drive– This driver service, donating ALL revenue this week.

At 10:15 tonight, Niagara Falls will be illuminated Black & Red, to mark #ProjectPlaid.

About Pathstone Mental Health

A community-based organization with a mission to provide innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara struggling with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of more children and their families. We are the primary accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara and a lead agency for the province of Ontario. We have been helping kids for over 50 years in Niagara. Note, Crisis & Support is offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews, please contact: Kim Rossi, Director of Philanthropy and Public Relations – Pathstone Foundation / Mental Health krossi@pathstone.ca or 289-969-8342.

The post TODAY is #PlaidFriday! Mental Health Movement, #ProjectPlaid encourages community to wear plaid. appeared first on Pathstone Mental Health Foundation.

Niagara mom aims to turn Niagara PLAID In Memory of her daughter and others lost to suicide

St. Catharines, ON (November 1, 2021) – A passion project that began with a few family and friends has quickly grown to become a movement to turn Niagara plaid in November.

Following the tragic loss of Amelia Durocher to suicide in February of 2019, her mother Shanta Rangaratnam channeled her energy and grief into #ProjectPlaid. Plaid was Amelia’s signature style, whether she was out with friends, heading to class at Brock or to work at Winner’s you would typically see something plaid on Amelia.

In its first year, #ProjectPlaid encouraged people to wear plaid on what would have been Amelia’s 19th birthday, November 27th and to donate to the campaign. In under two years, over $20,000 has been raised for Pathstone Mental Health.

With the addition of corporate support from Meridian and the Niagara Ice Dogs, and interest from many local companies and community members, this mission is evolving into a movement. “This was never just about Amelia, says Shanta, this campaign was about talking openly about mental health with the hope that something like this never happens to another child or their family.”

This year, Black Friday, will become Plaid Friday, on November 26th.  At 10:15 pm Niagara Falls will be illuminated Black & Red In Honour of #ProjectPlaid. The night before, (Nov. 25th) will be Plaid Eve at the Niagara Ice Dogs game when they take on the Hamilton Bulldogs. Those attending the game are encouraged to wear plaid and can also donate to Pathstone on-site to receive a #ProjectPlaid sticker and or purchase a signature #ProjectPlaid toque. (available on the concourse level)

Companies, clubs, schools and teams can also JOIN THE MOVEMENT and support Pathstone in a variety of ways. More info on how can be found at www.pathstonefoundation.ca

“It is an honour to take part in this growing, important and meaningful movement” said Janice Calverley, Interim Chief Operating Officer, Meridian. “At Meridian, we are committed to building resilience, and that includes mental health resilience. We are thrilled to be a part of the conversation, wearing our plaid and supporting Pathstone Foundation.”

“We are still in this, and the mental health cases we are seeing at Pathstone clearly shows that the pandemic has made a troublesome impact on many. This campaign will bring some light and much love to those who are struggling.”
Kim Rossi, Director of Philanthropy- Pathstone Foundation.

About Pathstone Mental Health

A community-based organization with a mission to provide innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara struggling with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of more children and their families. We are the primary accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara and a lead agency for the province of Ontario. We have been helping kids for over 50 years in Niagara. Note, Crisis & Support is offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

About Meridian

With more than 75 years of banking history, Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, and second largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of 380,000 Members. Meridian has $27.6 billion in assets under management (September 30, 2021) and delivers a full range of financial services online, by phone, by mobile and through a network of 89 branches across Ontario, and business banking services in 15 locations. Meridian cardholders also have access to over 43,000 surcharge-free ABMs in North America with THE EXCHANGE® Network and the Allpoint Network in the US. For more information, please visit: meridiancu.ca, follow us on Twitter @MeridianCU or visit us on Facebook 

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews, please contact: Kim Rossi, Director of Philanthropy and Public Relations – Pathstone Foundation / Mental Health krossi@pathstone.ca or 289-969-8342.

The post When a mission turns into a movement appeared first on Pathstone Mental Health Foundation.