The Southlands Grange Centre for Farming & Food Foundation affirmed their commitment to community wellness by hosting a series of events during Mental Health Awareness Month in May to benefit The Step Forward Health Society.
Hosted at the Red Barn in Southlands, several wellness workshops took place: expressive painting and breathwork with Home Grown Creative, cardio and movement, yoga and creative side-walk chalk with Ballet Beats, and yoga and breathwork with First Thunder and Hummingbird Healing. Collectively, $1,100 was raised and Century Group generously matched these donations, resulting in a total of $2,200 raised to support The Step Forward Health Society programs.
“What’s very exciting is you have local businesses of all sizes who have a collective desire to collaborating together to shore up mental health supports in Delta,” said Meg Neufeld, President of The Step Forward Health Society.
The Step Forward Health Society, a Ladner-based charity, is dedicated to breaking down barriers to mental health services, ensuring that individuals, couples, and families in Delta can access the support they require.
Designed around the populations that are slipping through the cracks, the society provides various programs: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a group for individuals with intense and significant mental health issues; When Love Hurts, a group for women facing intimate partner violence; MENtor, a group for abusive men who want to change; Pain in the Arts, a creative mindfulness group for chronic pain management; a mental health support group for LGBTQ+ teens; the Step Forward Program, that subsidizes mental health services.
With the generous support of Century Group, The Step Forward Health Society will be hosting their launch and fundraising event at The Red Barn in Southlands on Nov. 16.
This event will introduce the community to the society’s mission and programs while raising additional funds to expand their services. The event will feature live music, a live auction, several notable speakers and provide more information on how community members can support Step Forward’s initiatives.
“Both the Southlands Grange and Century Group’s support has significantly amplified our fundraising efforts, allowing us to reach more people in need of mental health services. Their commitment has made a substantial impact on our ability to provide comprehensive support to our clients,” said Neufeld.
