Wes for Youth Online

Wes for Youth Online is a Canadian non-profit founded by Jamie and Yolanda Cameron on June 29, 2012 after they lost their son, Wes Cameron to suicide. The mission of Wes for Youth Online is to promote emotional and mental wellness in youth aged 13-19 in Grey, Bruce, North Wellington and North Huron counties in Ontario, Canada. The organization provides free and confidential online counselling services to its clients and provides a resource centre for its service area that is based at their offices in Walkerton, Ontario.
History
Wes for Youth Online was created by the Cameron Family and began operations on June 26, 2012 in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce Branch. The organization was created following the death of the families youngest son, Wes Cameron, who took his own life on September 26, 2011 at the age of 16. Shortly after his death, Wes for Youth Online was created to provide young people in the local community with a place to ask questions or to address concerns regarding their mental health. The organization's online program launched in June 2013 after becoming beneficiaries of $63,600 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The funds will be used to expand the online counselling program and build a new resource centre which will be located in Walkerton slated to open in the Spring of 2015.
Timeline
June 26, 2012 — Wes for Youth Online is officially founded and is incorporated in the Province of Ontario as a non-profit organization
May 3, 2013 — MPP, Bill Walker, announces $63,600 Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant for Wes for Youth Online to build their online counselling and launch a marketing initiative
June 26, 2013 — Launch of Online Counselling Program
January 28, 2014 — Wes for Youth Online is awarded $130,000 from Aviva Canada Community Fund
Spring 2015 — Resource Centre expected to open in Walkerton, Ontario
Programs
Online Counselling
In June 2013, Wes for Youth Online launched their online counselling program for youth aged 13-19. The online counselling program allows young people to connect with a professional and qualified counsellor free of charge. The program is currently servicing over 120 clients As well online counselling has been shown to be equally beneficial in relation to traditional counselling to those in non-crisis situations. The resource centre will also be host to training for Mental Health First Aid created by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
Fundraising
Wes for Youth Online receives majority of its fund from merchandise sales, donors, in-memoriam donations, and fundraising events held around the service area.
Wes for Youth Online Annual Hockey Tournament
Every January, Wes for Youth Online hosts a hockey tournament in three local communities to raise funds for the organization. Funds are raised through admission donations, food sales, buy-outs from local high schools and merchandise sales. The event has raised above $5,000 for the organization.
Walk with Wes for Youth Mental Health
In June, Wes for Youth Online in collaboration with area high schools organizes their annual Walk with Wes for Youth Mental Health. The event is intended to raise awareness before students depart for their summer holidays. The walk raises thousands of dollars each year and is put towards the online counselling program.
Ontario Trillium Foundation
On May 3, 2013, MPP Bill Walker announced that Wes for Youth Online would be a recipient of $63,600 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to launch the online counselling program in June 2013 as well as fund a marketing initiative to increase awareness of the service. In a statement, Walker said, “This funding will play a key role in enhancing the identification, diagnosis and treatment of mental health concerns in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, and is particularly important as a resource for our youth.” A cheque presentation was held at a London Lightning game.<ref name="aviva" /> The Aviva Resource Centre is expected to open in 2015.
See Also
*Mental Health Commission of Canada
*Canadian Mental Health Association
*Kids Help Phone
*Mental Health

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