Be a Hero for Mental Health.
COVID-19 has become a mental health crisis. The mental toll of lockdowns, self-isolation, financial stress and uncertainty have increased anxiety and longer-term mental health problems such as clinical depression. 1 in 10 Canadians reported recent thoughts or feelings of suicide, in addition to 40% of Canadians who reported a decline in their mental health1. Many struggle in silence due to the stigma surrounding mental illness, while others who need help don’t have any place to turn.
The need for mental health support has never been greater. Put
mental health first.
The Bloom Group Community Services Society helps by providing housing, healthcare and social services for those with mental health challenges in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The Bloom Group is dedicated to delivering important therapies and treatments that help treat mental health issues, bring comfort, encourage peace of mind, and improve quality of life. Art and music therapy have proven to have a profound positive impact on patients facing chronic mental health issues.
Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals. It can help guide and promote self-expression, feelings and emotions. It has an ability to facilitate positive perspectives on one’s life and promote a sense of personal independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency.
Music therapy promotes healing and comfort and provides physical, psychological and social benefits. Music therapy provides a safe outlet to encourage communication and patients exposed to music therapy may demonstrate enhanced ability for self-expression and improved memory, speech and cognitive skills. Music therapy increases social activity, connection and reduces stress.
Your donations to mental health will help provide important therapies for the residents of four supportive housing sites in the Downtown Eastside.
Cordova House offers a stable home with access to a range of support services for 66 residents aged 45 years and older in the Downtown Eastside. Residents are assisted in managing day-to-day tasks and activities so they are able to succeed in maintaining stable housing.
Victory House is a supportive, nurturing home with 24hr on-site care for 48 residents in the Downtown Eastside. Residents are encouraged to increase their stability, independence, and self-worth by working toward self-directed wellness goals that recognize and build on each individual’s strengths. Wellness goals are developed and achieved with input and assistance from care teams and families.
At Santiago Lodge and Cecelia House, 33 residents live more independently with access to an on-site Licensed Practical Nurse and a variety of community supports that promote health, recovery, social inclusion, and independence.
Your donation will provide recreational activities and a weekly registered music and art therapist for our residents for the first time.
Thank you for
being a hero!
Your gift will help improve the psychological health and wellbeing
of people with mental health challenges.
References
1. https://cmha.ca/news/despair-and-suicidal-feelings-deepen-as-pandemic-wears-on
The video below speaks to the benefits of art therapy. Produced on behalf of hospice patients, the messages are relevant for those struggling with mental health issues.
Dr. Susan Burgess talks about the need for art therapy.
The Bloom Group Community
Services Society
Since 1961, The Bloom Group has led many of Vancouver's most progressive social services to reduce homelessness, provide end-of-life care for individuals with mental health challenges and addictions, ensure women-led families in crisis can stay together as they rebuild their lives, provide financial management for at-risk seniors and much more. Our ‘low-barrier’ services are inclusive and available to all individuals in need, regardless of their circumstances, and without conditions.
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We are grateful for your generous support.
The Bloom Group Community Services Society is a charitable, non-profit organization. Our charitable tax number is BN108021544RR0001
Wishes
Highlights
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Be a Hero for Mental Health.
Help provide art and music therapy to bring comfort, solace and peace to those with mental health issues.
Heroes for Mental Health Campaign ends June 15!
Donate today: fundrazr.com/ BloomHero2021
Join our Heroes for Mental Health.
Help foster mental wellness for the vulnerable in our local community.
Campaign ends June 15th!
Roshni Devi’s first job in Canada upon arriving from her homeland of Fiji was as a kitchen support worker at Cordova House in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. That was in 1976. Roshni never left Cordova House and today, more than 45 years later, she still works in the kitchen only now as the cook.
When asked what keeps her at Cordova after all these years, Roshni didn’t hesitate: “The residents. I care about them. I love to care for them. Love to see the smiles on their faces. It’s a safe place for them.”
She’s seen many changes to the neighbourhood over the past 45 years but, in her opinion, changes for the better. “It’s better. Bloom Group has places where people can go. Places like Victory house. They’re not on the street. They have places to live.”
It’s front line workers like Roshni who put their life on the line for residents to feel safe, loved and cared for. Roshni said she never felt it necessary to miss a day of work during the pandemic. “I was not afraid with my residents. We were doing what we can do to keep everyone safe.”
Cordova House and Victory House provide housing and support for people living with mental health issues in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The Bloom Group’s Heroes for Mental Health campaign raises funds to provide art and music therapy and recreational opportunities to residents with mental health issues.
The Campaign runs until June 15. Donate today: fundrazr.com/BloomHero2021
With your help, residents in the Downtown Eastside facing mental health challenges can find solace and comfort through art and music therapy.
Thanks to our heroes, we have raised 70% of our $30,000 goal.
Join our blooming heroes to help reach our goal to improve mental wellness in our local community.
Donate today: fundrazr.com/BloomHero2021
We may not have a Bloom-Signal like Batman does, but if you were waiting for a sign to join the Mental Health fight in our community, this is it!🦸♀️🦸♂️
Today, we are asking you to join our Heroes for Mental Health!
🙌
Your donation will help improve mental wellness for those with
chronic mental health challenges by providing art & music therapy
to relieve stress, bring comfort, and encourage peace of mind. 🎶🎨
Your donation will provide residents in our supportive housing facilities with art & music therapy for a year.
We thank all our Heroes who have contributed. The campaign ends on June1. If you have not yet donated, we hope we can count on your support.
Donate today: fundrazr.com/BloomHero2021
Art can bring solace, comfort and peace. For KG, a resident of Victory House in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, having a roof over his head gives him freedom and security to pursue his passion - art.
(Victory House) gives me the space and time instead of being outside. Because I lived outside all my life. So you can’t really sit down and draw a picture when you’re facing the cold and trying to find a coffee or whatever. Or when you’re hungry. You have to find food. So you don’t have time to sit down and do anything. You can’t think of stuff either because you have so much on your mind. In this place I can relax and think of things.
Were it not for a home at Victory House, KG stated he would be living “in the park”.
Help us bring stability, relief and mental wellness for people like KG. Your donation will provide art therapy for residents in the Downtown Eastside.
Be a hero. Donate today: fundrazr.com/ BloomHero2021
Thank you!
Help us provide the residents of our supportive housing sites with
art & music therapy to relieve stress, bring comfort, &
encourage peace of mind.🎶🎨 You can help by donating or granting a
wish to provide vulnerable residents with art & music therapy for
a year ❤️
Donate today & Be A Hero:fundrazr.com/
BloomHero2021
Thank you!
The Bloom Group
#HeroesForMentalHealth #MentalHealthAdvocate #BeAHero
Despite having endured much hardship in her life, Ann has managed to maintain a good sense of humour and empathy.
“I want to share my story because maybe it will happen to somebody else and I can give them encouragement. Don’t give up. We’re like little birds. I knew when I had to leave Powell Place I was leaving the nest but they brought me here" (Cordova House).
Cordova House provides supportive housing for people with mental health challenges in the Downtown Eastside.
Give people like Ann a fighting chance. Support Heroes for Mental Health.
Donate here: fundrazr.com/ BloomHero2021
Thank you for being a hero!
