Impact Report 2023
Stronger Together, Embracing a Brighter Future
Take a look through our Impact Report, celebrating last year’s accomplishments of the three legacy organizations, Carizon, KW Counselling, and Monica Place, and highlighting the impactful work that is happening at Camino right now.
Stronger Together: Embracing a Brighter Future
Camino is our shared commitment to embracing diverse paths, connecting people to the right services at the right time and supporting our community’s journey to better mental health and wellbeing for all. We are humbled by the tremendous support we have received and deeply grateful for the role you have played in this journey. Together we are building a connected community where all people thrive. Thank you for walking with us in this journey to wellbeing.
Mission
We support individuals, families, and communities as they work to strengthen their wellbeing and mental health
Vision
A connected community where people thrive
Our Guiding Values
We put people at the centre of our work
We are a culture of belonging
We learn and grow and try new things
We build on the strength of our community
A Message From Our Board Chair
I’m really honoured to be the former chair of the Carizon Family & Community Services board of directors and the first chair of the new Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health board. This past year was a momentous one where big decisions were carefully made to unite three strong organizations.
There is so much need and opportunity in our community and it increases every day as Waterloo Region grows and diversifies. Camino means ‘path’ and we have been on a path that converged from three into one. As we move forward together on a journey as Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health, I couldn’t be prouder – or more grateful – for all the people who have brought Camino to life.
87% Of Participants Were Satisfied With Services
At Carizon
A Message From Former Monica Place Board Chair
This past year was full of transformative change. The unification of our three agencies means a lot to our participants. Now, no matter what stage they are at in life, they will be able to easily connect with the services that are needed for them or their children at any time on their journey.
I am truly excited about all of the possibilities that our future holds as Camino. More families getting connected to the support they need, new programs that respond to emerging needs within our community, more hope as our community comes together to ensure everyone has access to the wellbeing and mental health services they need. We are stronger together, and I am proud of the work we are continuing to do in supporting families in our community.
13 Monica Place Students
A Message From Former KW Counselling Board Chair
The unification of our three organizations has been an incredibly exciting experience. To see us build something that not only meets the needs of our community today but as Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health, we have the ability to adapt and evolve to the needs of our community as it grows, expands and requires more.
At the centre of everything we do are the people we serve and the support we provide for our community. As we head into the future there’s nothing but great opportunities ahead of us. I am looking forward to what we can do and what we can achieve together.
11,776 Counselling Sessions
At KW Counselling
Connecting to the Right Supports and Services at the Right Time!
Enhancing Services for the People We Serve
With the unification of the three agencies, we’ve merged waitlists, allowing us to connect people who had been waiting the longest with available counselling openings, resulting in a significant reduction in wait times. Over the first three months as a unified organization, we were able to reduce the average waitlist time by more than a third.
By coming together and sharing ideas, resources and capacity, Camino has made a real difference supporting more timely access to mental health services for individuals, families, and our community, holding to our promise of building an even better service for the community.
The Power of Support
Aaron’s Journey with OK2BME
Every year, OK2BME supports hundreds of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and their families through counselling, public education, youth groups, and events, including the annual Pride Prom event.
“It's good to know that there's someone who cares and that I can have people like me that I talk to regularly and not just feel like an outsider. It's important that we have OK2BME because youth in the community like me know that ‘I’m welcome here’. Everyone wants to feel welcome somewhere.”
Tomorrow Needs You
The Kaitlyn Roth Tournament of Hope
Finding hope when you have been profoundly impacted by the disease of mental illness might seem impossible, however the family of Kaitlyn Roth are determined.
“The mental health system will never change unless mental illness is seen as a disease like diabetes and treated just the way physical illnesses are. It is a brain disease, simply put. No one wants to suffer like this. It is so important to keep these conversations going to reduce the stigma and continue to advocate for better and evidenced-based mental health services for all.”
Living Every Day as a Connected Member of the Community
Nina’s Path From Participant to Volunteer
Nina started her journey with Camino years ago with Fort, our Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) program for elementary school children. Then she moved onto Temenos, the FASD program designed for high school students. Both programs reflect the complex needs of children with FASD.
Inspired by the support Nina received through our programs, she wanted to stay connected and get more involved.
Perseverance and Determination Lead to a Brighter Future
Christina’s path to graduation wasn’t without hurdles, but her strength and determination enabled her to take the steps to create a brighter future for herself and her daughter when she started her journey in the Youth Parent Program at Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health surrounded by a group of people who supported her.
Finding a Path of Hopefulness Through Safety, Security, and Support
When basic human needs aren’t met, feeling safe and finding the hope to move forward can feel like an impossible journey. This was the case for Kate, who suddenly found herself and her son without a home to live in, until fate led her to Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health’s services.
A Few Words From Our Clients and Volunteers
Volunteers are a crucial network of support. Interested in getting involved?
We Couldn’t Do What We Do Without You
We are deeply grateful to the many people who have joined us on this journey. With your support we are building a connected community where all people thrive. Read about the The Follett Scholarship and our partnership with Sun Life below.
Our Community Supporters
Thank you to the many people and community supporters who have shared their time, effort, and resources with our organization. Because of supporters like you, we are able to walk alongside individuals, families, and communities on their journeys to strengthen their wellbeing and mental health. Your donations are and will always be so greatly appreciated.
Allianz Global Assistance
Central National Gottesman Foundation
Enterprise Holdings
Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan Inc.
Google Community Grants Fund - TIDES
Hislacan Homes Kitchener-Waterloo Inc.
Len and Helen Georgiou Foundation
Lyle S. Hallman Foundation
MacDonald Steel
Massey Centre For Women
Ontario Trillium Foundation
RBC Foundation
Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health™
Sun Life Financial
TD Canada Trust
The Fairmount Foundation
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
United Way Waterloo Region Communities
Waterloo Region Community Foundation
Alex Schmidt Memorial Fund
Anonymous Fund
The David and Eleanor Yach Family Fund
The Essential Fund
The Fred and Dora Mae Blayney Fund
The Jim and Sue Hallman Family Fund
Waterloo Region Community Fund
The Land That Enables Our Work
Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health acknowledges that our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our offices are situated on the Haldimand Tract which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. We recognize that 950,000 acres of this land was promised by Treaty in 1784 to Six Nations, and we acknowledge that only 48,000 acres is in the rightful care of Six Nations. We endeavour to be accountable to this reality in ways that go beyond an apology or acknowledgement. We strive to continue to learn the truth, support calls to action, and aim to be aware of the intricate and complicated ways that we are connected to all living beings as well as to the land. We promise to do our part to protect this land and learn the impacts on our Indigenous community members as we continue to walk the path of reconciliation.
Our Commitment to Equity
As we continue to be responsive to the changing needs of our communities, we acknowledge the historical and present-day violence and systemic barriers that harm members of our Region and that we must ask ourselves not if we are complicit, but how. We have a lot of work to do, and Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health is committed to developing anti-oppressive practices and equitable outcomes for the families we serve while providing programs that reflect and meet their needs. Building equity takes time, resources, intentional commitment, and behavioural change. It is an ongoing process, and we start by recognizing the racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous people, Black people, Asian communities, racialized people, ethnic or linguistic groups, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, unhoused people, people with mental illness, and people with physical and intellectual disabilities. We are committed to moving forward and ensure that everyone at Camino experiences true equity, empowerment, and belonging.