Kyle's Story

I was 16 years old, standing in the gymnasium at Starling's Children's Mental Health Centre (formerly Lutherwood).

By then, I had lived in 28 foster homes.

I didn't believe I had much of a future. I'd learned early not to expect much from adults, from life, or even from myself. When you've been through enough, you start to believe you don't matter.

That day, I walked across the stage to receive my graduation certificate. Then something happened I'll never forget.

Everyone stood up. And they started clapping. For me.

It was the first time in my life, I felt seen. I felt valued. I felt like I mattered. People were genuinely happy for me.

In that moment, something shifted inside me. It made me realize I could do this. That I wasn’t destined for jail. That I wasn’t going to become another statistic. For the first time, I could imagine a different future.

Today, I know that moment happened because people chose to care.

The staff at Starling never gave up on me, even when I gave them plenty of reasons to. They saw potential where I saw none. They showed up, stayed by my side, and helped me believe in myself.

Too many children and youth in our community are carrying burdens no child should carry alone. They are struggling with anxiety, trauma, depression, and overwhelming challenges that can make hope feel out of reach.

When young people receive the support they need early in life, they gain more than coping skills. They gain confidence, belonging, and the belief that their future can be different.

Last year, Starling supported 1,698 children and youth with intensive mental health services. That's enough to fill 56 local classrooms. Behind every number is a young person who needed someone to believe in them. Thanks to caring donors, they didn’t have to face their challenges alone.

Today, will you help create that turning point for another child? Your gift will help provide the care, encouragement, and support that can change the course of a young person's life.

I never imagined the life I have now: a wife and a daughter I love, a career I'm proud of, and a future I once couldn't imagine.

The person I am today exists because people chose not to give up on me.

Thank you for believing in Starling’s work and for believing that every child deserves the chance at a bright future.

With gratitude,

Kyle