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The Y108/CHML Children’s Fund has been a generous supporter of Thrive Child and Youth Trauma Services for many years. In the past 10 years the Children’s Fund has donated over $40,000 to Thrive’s programs and services! This June, the Children’s Fund awarded $5720.00 to Thrive. This funding will assist us in moving children from our waitlist into assessment and treatment services—services that will assist in evaluating, addressing and alleviating trauma symptoms in a timelier manner.
“The Children’s Fund is respected in the community for providing vital funding to, and ongoing awareness of, children’s causes, programs and services in the Hamilton/Burlington area, working in partnership with CHML and Y108 as an independent non-governmental charitable organization.”
Having raised over $5 Million for local charities, the CHML Children’s Fund is truly dedicated to supporting the children and youth in our community.
Thank you to the Children’s Fund for this generous donation and for supporting children and youth through their healing journeys!!
Visit https://globalnews.ca/pages/childrens-fund/ to learn more about the Children’s Fund.
The Magnes Group is an insurance and risk management advice organization providing personalized insurance coverage for every client. The Magnes Group fosters a culture of giving and generosity as we saw firsthand through the enthusiasm of the staff Community Advocate Committee.
The Magnes Group’s Community Advocate Committee planned a fundraiser to benefit our programs and services by selling Easter themed Candy Grams. We are so thankful for their support and love to see employees and companies coming together to benefit the communities in which they live and work.
Thank you, Magnes Group!
(Left to Right - Cathie Pead, Jennifer Junek, Orjana Nikitovic, Sandie Harris, Jeff Bryce, Katie Gorrie, Greg McKnight and Amalia Cunanan)
Read the article about Thrive's OASIS program on Globalnews.ca here.
For Immediate Release
Many Refugee Children Suffer Trauma - Hamilton’s OASIS Program is here to help
Children’s Mental Health Week: May 1-7, 2017
Last year, the Hamilton community received more than 1400 refugees from war-torn Syria. They came seeking peace, safety and security, and the hope of a better life for themselves and their children. About two thirds of these refugees are children under the age of 18.
Finding their way to physical safety and security in Canada is only the first step towards a life of peace and hope. Physical wounds may heal quickly; but emotional and psychological wounds take longer to surface and to heal. Often this healing requires specialized intervention.
As the only agency in Hamilton providing highly specialized refugee trauma treatment for children and youth, Thrive Child and Youth Trauma Services offers OASIS (the Outreach, Assessment and Specialized Intervention Services program).
The OASIS program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, The City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Community Foundation and generous donors.
Since last fall, OASIS has been overwhelmed by the demand for treatment services. At the end of March, our waitlist of Syrian children and youth in need of some kind of treatment, stood at 22. Our financial and clinical capacity is stretched to the limit. Children are waiting as long as 6 months or more to receive treatment.
Children can have an especially difficult time because they may have less ability to cope with their feelings. They may avoid going to school and have difficulty learning or making friends. They may experience anxiety, headaches, sleep interruption and nightmares, bedwetting, aggressive outbursts, depression or other symptoms.
Hamilton schools and sponsorship groups are often the first to identify a problem. They look to OASIS for the specialized treatment these children need.
"Classroom teachers and principals tell me what a difference Thrive's OASIS program makes for refugee children who are struggling with the effects of trauma. HWDSB educators highly value the specialized expertise of OASIS clinicians to provide support to these students to succeed fully in school."
- Christine Shaw ESL/ELD K-12 Program Consultant Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
“CMHA Mental Health Week started in 1951 to raise awareness for mental health inCanada. Held during the first full week in May, CMHA Mental Health Week is now a popular awareness week. … This year, as part of our Sick of Waiting: Get Loud for Mental Health campaign, we are paying special attention to long waits – the long wait to see a mental health professional, and the long wait for improvements to the mental health system of Canada.” – Canadian Mental Health Association
To learn more about Thrive’s OASIS program, or to arrange an interview, please call the number below.
Contact: Katie Gorrie 905-523-1020 ext. 210
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Last night Hamilton hosted a vigil, as many other cities across Canada did, for the victims of the Quebec Mosque shooting. Hundreds of Hamiltonians showed up to show their solidarity with the victims of the attack and with the Muslim community. Members of our team at Thrive were there to show their support and let the community know that we are here to help those who have been traumatized by such events, or those who are scared in these uncertain times.
(Gathering at the Hamilton Vigil; Photo Credit: Kim Bird)
Members of our Thrive team, Janice Floyd Client Services Coordinator and Kim Bird OASIS Program Coordinator, were there to represent Thrive's solidarity with the newcomer community. Here is Janice's moving account:
“I felt incredibly proud of the City of Hamilton as I stood alongside hundreds of people last night. People in this community came together, at literally a moment’s notice, to support and show love, care and respect for each other. The large turnout for the vigil was truly amazing, and I left the event knowing this community is overflowing with good people prepared to walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it comes to issues like racism, islamophobia, and so on."
Thrive continues its commitment to supporting children and youth who have experienced trauma and through its OASIS refugee trauma treatment program we are here for newcomer children traumatized by dislocation, violence, war and persecution.
