Mental Health Movement Sees Engagement Gain in 2023
Niagara Region (December 21, 2023) – The annual #ProjectPlaid (#PP) campaign which ran for the month of November
was kicked off in a major way this year, as it coincided with the return of Pathstone’s Hope Gala. The November 3rd
event at Fallsview Casino brought over 700 supporters to the grand ballroom and featured an intimate conversation
with superstar Howie Mandel.
The event was a wonderful opportunity to expose #PP even further. The campaign, rooted in mental health awareness,
education and conversation caught the immediate attention of Mandel as did Pathstone’s Walk-in Clinics which is what
the #PP campaign raises funds to support. Kim Rossi, Director of Fundraising & Communications - Pathstone
Foundation.
“You guys should be everywhere; this service should be all over the place. If you can grab kids early, and give them that
lifesaver which is what you are doing here in Niagara, what an amazing thing that is, but it’s got to spread beyond
Niagara.” Howie Mandel at Pathstone’s 2023 Hope Gala.
And we couldn’t agree more! This year’s #PP campaign saw a return of Meridian’s solid partnership with Pathstone with
Gala and #PP support, and a $10K gift match from DDL Accounting.
For the past four years, Pathstone has taken the lead on the #PP campaign started by Shanta Rangaratnam, the mother
of Amelia Durocher who lost her life to suicide in 2019. Amelia’s signature style was plaid, hence the nod in the naming
of the campaign.
Along with selling swag this year from hats to scarfs, mitts, pins and pet bandannas, Pathstone opened a second store
location at the Seaway Mall in Welland, in addition to their store at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines. These shopping
centre spaces allow our community to engage with us in a welcome and safe way. It facilitates conversation, and offers
a supportive environment. Those store spaces also serve as Walk-in Clinic locations, two of the ten that Pathstone
operates across the Region.
We are thrilled to share that $100K was raised (and counting) directly through this year’s #PP campaign, with another
$575K raised at the Hope Gala.
At the root of this work is Amelia and the wishes we have for all kids in our community to have a safe place to land
when they are not feeling ok. We want to ensure kids and families know where to go, and that we all have the tools we
need when having tough conversations with someone who may be struggling with their mental health. Kim Rossi,
Director of Fundraising & Communications - Pathstone Foundation.
We are grateful to our massive partnerships that not only include Meridian and DDL Accounting, but also, seven
McDonald’s locations who were asking for donations at their registers, and contributed funds from food purchased on
Plaid Friday (Nov. 24th). All schools under the Niagara Catholic District School Board as well as Sir Winston Secondary
School (Amelia’s former High School), The Niagara Ice Dogs, and countless other small and medium sized businesses
joined in too.
Every year, the final Friday in November is marked as Plaid Friday in support of #ProjectPlaid. But the conversation
around mental health isn’t a one day, or one-month affair, It’s a 24/7 effort. Join Us.
Pathstone’s Promise.
At Pathstone Mental Health, all children in Niagara from birth until their 18 birthday have access to our mental
health services at no cost. Through the Ministry of Health and additional support from donors, all kids in Niagara
have equal access to mental health care at any of our locations across the region. We are committed to
ensuring that Niagara’s children, youth and their families know they have the right to have good mental health.
Crisis & Support is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944