“The Club saved my life.”

The first time I walked into the BGC Ottawa youth centre I was 9 years old.

I was so anxious and scared, I only lasted five minutes the first few times I went. But on my third visit a youth worker asked me if I wanted to play floor hockey. That day I stayed for 30 minutes and then ran home afterwards to tell my mom.

That moment changed my life.‍

Once I found BGC Ottawa, I started going to the Club every day. That building became my place in so many ways. Sometimes I wouldn’t even go to school, because I was simply afraid of what that day might bring. Instead, I would go to the Club. That was my safe place.

BGC Ottawa became my second home. And now, 25 years later I’m the Chief Executive Officer. I’m living proof that your support of BGC Ottawa transforms lives.

Right now, youth mental health conditions are rising at alarming rates.‍

This is something that we see every day in our clubhouses. We see kids that don’t know how to connect with or communicate with others, because of years of social isolation. We see kids who are years behind in school and have no chance of keeping up. And depression, social anxiety, suicidal thoughts and more are all rapidly rising.

According to the latest stats from Bell Let’s Talk Day (the largest initiative on youth mental health in Canada), 1 in 2 young people in our country aren’t getting the help they need.

Services like BGC Ottawa are the key to providing community mental health supports for youth.

Today, I’m asking you to make a special gift that will help ensure every child who enters our Clubs or attends one of our life-changing programs, will find a safe, supportive place, with people they can trust to help them. A donation to BGC Ottawa, of any amount, will make a positive impact on a young person in our community.

Without a doubt the Club saved my life. Please, help change and save more children’s lives today.

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With sincere thanks,‍‍

‍Adam Joiner

‍BGC Ottawa, Chief Executive Officer‍

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‍P.S. If you have recently made a gift in support of BGC Ottawa’s Youth Mental Health initiatives, THANK YOU. You are helping save a young person’s life!‍

P.P.S. Our Monthly Donors help give kids a hand up year-round. If you have the means to do so, please consider becoming a Monthly Donor today to help children and youth struggling with their mental health.

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