Building …for Children’s Mental Health

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF CASE STATEMENT

The York Centre is a community-based children’s mental health agency. On an annual basis, The York Centre provides a range of treatment and intervention services for approximately 1500 children, youth and their families who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioural or mental health problems. Day treatment is the main focus of The York Centre’s services. This intensive support benefits children and youth whose complex mental health needs cannot be addressed within the school system. The York Centre provides outstanding support services which help troubled children and youth to succeed and realize their full potential as healthy, productive young adults. In addition to enhancing the quality of life for young people and their families, timely access to support services reduces the need for more intensive and costly long-term services such as child protection, youth justice and psychiatric care.

The York Centre is incorporated as a charitable agency and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is the main source of funding. The York Centre has a well-earned reputation for strong financial management; audited statements show a history of balanced budgets.

The York Centre has 3 programme sites in Richmond Hill, which serve children, youth and their families from across York Region. At each site overcrowding is a serious concern, as is lack of space for individualized counselling, case conferences and meetings. In 2003, accreditors from Children’s Mental Health-Ontario described the inadequacies of The York Centre facilities with the following observation, “The facilities are below the quality of those found in most Children’s Mental Health Centres and create unnecessarily difficult conditions for staff and clients.” Clearly, the need for a more appropriate facility in which to provide children and youth with essential services is paramount.

Another major challenge is the lack of services to meet the present and expanding demand for children’s mental health services. Currently in York Region, the capacity exists to serve only 13% of children and youth who are experiencing mental health problems.

In response to the need for more appropriate facilities and for the potential increase service capacity, the Board of Directors for The York Centre has developed the Expansion/Consolidation Plan. The cost of this project is $3.5 million; this includes construction of the new building and renovations to the existing facility. The Council for the Town of Richmond Hill very generously approved a $1 million capital grant from the Community Enhancement and Economic Vitality Reserve Fund for this project. The York Centre family has pledged $500,000 to this project. The York Centre has received a generous grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help build its fund raising capacity so that it can amalgamate 3 programme sites into one central location. The Central East Region of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services has offered some assistance with carrying costs for a mortgage.

The York Centre is now turning to the Community to help us raise the $2 million required for successful completion of this important Community Project. With your support, this Agency has the potential, determination and commitment to achieve this goal.

The York Centre reassures donors that their gift will have a very important and lasting impact on communities in York Region. Your contribution to The York Centre Capital Campaign will help to realize our Vision:

We will be a leader in providing timely and individualized mental health services

to best meet the needs of children, youth and families in York Region.