1 in 5 youth in Canada are affected by a mental health disorder
The Friendly Future Online Auction runs now until November 7, with one hundred per cent of proceeds going directly to charities that promote youth mental health and well-being across Canada
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 24, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TELUS Friendly Future Foundation’s third-annual Friendly Future Online Auction launches today, with one hundred per cent of proceeds going directly to Canadian charities that promote youth mental health and well-being. Recent research from the Canadian Institute for Health Information estimates that up to 20 per cent of children and youth in Canada are affected by a mental health disorder. Amidst the ongoing youth mental health crisis, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation provides support to charities in communities across Canada that provide under-served youth with access to the resources they need to learn, make connections, and stay healthy, opening up new opportunities for them to reach their full potential.
With a fundraising goal of $150,000, Canadians can bid online on hundreds of auction items, generously donated from partners across the country, including weekend getaways, phones and tablets, tickets to sporting events and signed memorabilia. Since the inaugural Friendly Future Online Action in 2021, the Foundation has raised more than $250,000 through this event in support of charities across Canada that address youth mental health and foster a sense of belonging.
“At TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, we are committed to helping youth feel like they belong, in order to reach their full potential. Beginning today and until November 7, people across Canada can bid in The Friendly Future Online Auction and ultimately help improve mental health and well-being outcomes for our youth,” said Shanan Spencer-Brown, Executive Director. “We are very grateful and honoured to support charities that prioritize the health and well-being of children and youth by working to address the fundamental challenges they face everyday.”
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation along with TELUS’ 13 Canadian Community Boards collaborate to enhance the lives of two million youth annually. Last year alone, the Foundation provided more than $10 million in grant funding to more than 500 charitable organizations across the country, including Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, Covenant House and Step Stones for Youth.
The Friendly Future Online Auction runs until November 7. To learn more about the auction, including how to bid or make a donation, visit friendlyfutureauction.com
About TELUS Friendly Future Foundation
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that believes all youth, regardless of circumstances, deserve an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. By funding more than 500 charities each year that provide education and health programs, many enabled by technology, along with providing educational bursaries, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is helping more than 2 million youth in communities across Canada build skills, gain confidence and feel a sense of belonging. In 2022 alone, we provided more than $10.6 million in grants to charities across the country.
For more information on TELUS Friendly Future Foundation visit friendlyfuture.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Saara Rahikka
TELUS Public Relations
saara.rahikka@telus.com
