The Three Voices of Healing Society’s Wellness Centre was the recipient of a $46,225 grant from the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health last week.
Norm Ouellet, Canada Post area manager for the Kootenays, presented the cheque to the centre’s executive director, Delena Tikk.
“I’m proud to tell you that employees of the Creston post office pitched $315 of their own money to kick start this year’s fundraising campaign,” Ouellet said.
Kootenay offices raised $11,000 this year, well over their target of $8,600, he added. A total of $200,000 was raised in B.C.
“I am very grateful to accept this cheque on behalf of Three Voices,” Tikk said.
She said the money would be used to bring in a clinical psychologist to work with clients, a service that the society was no longer able to afford before the grant was awarded.
“The Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health is a registered not-for-profit charity that operates at arm’s length from Canada Post,” Ouellet said. “Since 2008, Canada Post customers, employees, suppliers and the public have raised more than $4.8 million for the foundation. More than $600,000 of those funds were distributed in B.C.”
Oullet said customers support the foundation by purchasing mental health stamps or mental health Priority Next AM or Xpresspost domestic prepaid envelopes. Customers and employees can also contribute directly.
The Three Voices of Healing Society’s Wellness Centre is operated by a non-profit, non-political service organization dedicated to the treatment of First Nations people suffering from addictions. It serves First Nations from all regions in B.C. and Alberta. The wellness centre is situated on 22 acres in Lister and provides 12 beds in a non-medical accredited residential adult treatment facility. The centre runs alternating six-week programs for men and women.