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Starling Community Services.

Community Taking “Steps for Kids”


on May 2, 2019
Steps For Kids Logo
Steps For Kids Family
 
  • 600 people expected to raise $130,000 for children’s mental health this weekend.

WATERLOO (May 2, 2019): To launch Children’s Mental Health Week 2019, Lutherwood is hosting its annual Steps for Kids fundraising walk. This year’s event, expected to attract more than 600 walkers, will build awareness of and raise funds for children and youth learning to cope with their mental health struggles.

Presented by RBC, Steps for Kids is a fun and inspirational 3 and 5 km walk through the beautiful countryside near the St. Jacobs Farmer's Market. The annual event, Steps for Kids will take place at 285 Benjamin Road in Waterloo on Sunday, May 5th. All proceeds raised will provide specialized mental health support for children and youth within Lutherwood’s programs.

“Twenty percent of youth struggle with their mental health,” said Dr. John Colangeli, CEO of Lutherwood, “yet most go without treatment because they are concerned about what others will think. That’s why we invite the community to join us on a walk each year - to help break down that stigma, to raise funds for children's mental health, and most importantly to show youth in our community that we support them.”

Individuals, teams and families can choose to walk either the 3 or 5 kilometre loop in this fun walk through the countryside. At the finish line, there will be family activities, live performances by youth bands, interactions with a larger than life balloon mascot, snacks and refreshments and a special ice cream flavour chosen by youth at Lutherwood and created just for the event.

Participants can register at www.lutherwoodstepsforkids.ca. Registration is free and participants are encouraged to fundraise to support the event’s $130,000 fundraising goal.

The event will take place at Lutherwood’s Children’s Mental Health Centre, located at 285 Benjamin Road in Waterloo.

Registration Opens 8:30 am
Opening Ceremonies 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Walk and Fun Run 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Food and Entertainment: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join us Sunday and help lift the stigma of mental health and lift lives!

Media Contact
Chris Sellers
Director, Lutherwood
519-707-1958 ext. 1237

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Thank you, Donovan Insurance Brokers Inc. for your generous support as a Community Champion Sponsor for Steps for Kids 2024. Your ongoing commitment to children's mental health is helping to make a big impact in the lives of kids and youth in Waterloo Region, providing them with access to essential mental health support. 💛 #StepsForKids2024 #ChildrensMentalHealth #KidsMentalHealth #LittleStepsBigImpact
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Thank you, RBC for your incredible support of Steps for Kids this year! For 14 years, RBC has been our presenting sponsor and we are so grateful for their ongoing commitment to children's mental health. Thank you for all of the ways you have continued to help youth in our community. Together, we reached our fundraising goal to support programming at Starling Children's Mental Health Centre and Safe Haven Youth Services. #LittleStepsBigImpact #StepsForKids2024 @rbc
It was a beautiful day for our annual Softball Tournament! ⚾ Starling staff and their families came together for a fun-filled day playing baseball and raising funds to give youth in our programs access to recreational activities they might not otherwise have. A big shoutout to all the winners and participants for making it a memorable event in support our community's youth! 💜 #StarlingCommunityServices #StarlingMentalHealthServices #WaterlooRegion #KidsMentalHealth
Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day and June is National Indigenous History Month - a time to celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada. Follow along with local organizations like Anishnabeg Outreach, The Healing of The Seven Generations, White Owl Native Ancestry Association and Crow Shield Lodge to learn, support and celebrate Indigenous communities! - The Healing of The Seven Generations @healing7gens - White Owl Native Ancestry Association @wonaa1975 - Anishnabeg Outreach @anishnabegoutreach - Crow Shield Lodge @crowshieldlodge #NIPD2024 #NIPD #NIHM2024
We are so grateful for the outstanding community support we received at this year's Steps for Kids! Your energy and enthusiasm was overflowing! Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and the big hearts of our community, we surpassed our fundraising goal and raised over $112,000 to directly help youth struggling with their mental health. We hope you will step up with us again next year! 💛👟 #StepsForKids2024 #LittleStepsBigImpact #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #KidsMentalHealth
A huge thank you to Creekside Church for their amazing support during The Big Serve campaign! Their volunteers did an incredible job at our Children's Mental Health Centre, sprucing up the campus and making it a beautiful space for the kids. We're so grateful for their help! ✨💜 #CommunitySupport
Join us to paint the beautiful view “across the road” from our Starling (formerly Lutherwood) Children’s Mental Health Centre in North Waterloo, with local artist Debbie Ellis on Saturday June 22nd! No experience is required and beginners are welcome! Each participant will leave with their own painting, ready to take home and frame. Proceeds raised from this fundraiser will support our programs! To register, email foundation@lutherwood.ca!
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"I never expected Lutherwood could help me so much, but once I met their staff, I knew we would be okay. Having a job is everything; I don't go hungry, I have my self-confidence back and most importantly, my son and I are happy."