The Starling Child and Family Foundation is sincerely thankful for the extraordinary support we received this year. From 1,160 generous donors making 2,756 thoughtful contributions, to the 495 enthusiastic participants and sponsors of Steps for Kids— you’ve made a meaningful difference.
We’re especially grateful to the companies, service clubs, and foundations whose vital grants sustained our work, and to those who hosted community events such as the Westmount Oktoberfest Charity Pro-Am and Hockey Helps the Homeless.
Special thanks to the Darcy Beskau Educational Fund for empowering youth on their educational journeys, and to the Nicholas Matthew Janisse Sensory Fund for helping ensure access to essential sensory resources and assessments. We’re also deeply appreciative of those who gave through securities and legacy plans.
Above all, we thank our dedicated staff, whose care and commitment continue to strengthen lives across our community.
Vinny’s Story: Laughter with Purpose
Vinny Vinelli is no stranger to discussions on mental health. “It’s everything,” he says adamantly, “it’s integral to our survival.”
As a middle school teacher, he has always had a gift for connecting with young people, and at such a pivotal age, he uses that gift not only to teach them course materials, but also how to learn and take care of themselves. “I always have mental health resources posted,” Vinny explains. “And we focus on things like self-care, mindfulness, meditation, and complimenting each other and sharing personal wins. Being proactive rather than reactive is so important. “If kids don’t feel happy and loved in my classroom, teaching all that curriculum would be impossible.”
Several years ago, Vinny noticed a student of his was struggling. She had a difficult home life and often skipped his classes. Then, after being absent for multiple weeks, she returned. According to Vinny, she seemed happier, so naturally he reached out to ask what had helped her so much.
He learned about her positive experience at Starling’s Children’s Mental Health Centre. “She would even bring friends she’d made there back to my classroom to meet me,” Vinny said. A cause so close to his heart, Vinny was thrilled to hear about a place helping his students and other youth in the community with their mental health, and he started to brainstorm ways he could help. “I’m not a rich man, but I perform stand-up comedy in Toronto on weekends. So I thought, maybe I could raise some money doing that!”
Ever since his father’s death eight years ago, Vinny has done stand-up comedy professionally. The personal tragedy served as a reminder that life is short, and he was determined to follow his dreams.
Since 2023, Vinny has performed two comedy shows per year locally, with all the proceeds going to the Starling Child and Family Foundation. He’s raised over $1,000 so far and is excited to continue this fall.
When asked why the work Starling does is so important, Vinny reiterated the importance of mental health and community. “It’s not just for our kids. It’s for the kids our kids play with too.”
A Space for Kids to be Kids
Thanks to the SmileZone Foundation’s generous support, Child and Parent Place now offers a brighter, more welcoming space for supervised parenting time—a vital service that helps families reconnect safely. For children who’ve experienced trauma, the new play area fosters comfort and emotional security. For parents, it provides a space to rebuild trust and connection. This transformation supports healthier relationships and better outcomes where healing can begin. Thank you to Tim Hortons and the Patey-Skropolis family for generously selecting this project as the beneficiary of their annual Smile Cookie campaign.
