kidsLINK E-zine April 2006

The kidsLINK E-zine is distributed every two months. Our subscriber database is compiled from various sources within our organization. To subscribe or unsubscribe, please contact
marketing@ndsa.on.ca. You are welcome to forward this E-zine to others who may be interested.

> kidsLINK Earns Near-Perfect Accreditation Marks
> Child and Youth Counsellor Week
> May is Important Month for Mental Health
> Plans for June Bazaar Well Underway
> "Check-Up From the Neck Up"
> kidsLINK Foundation News

kidsLINK helps children, youth and their families to overcome social, emotional and behavioural challenges through innovative and effective solutions. Our programs and services are led by dedicated staff using proven practices. For more information about our programs and services, visit our web site at www.kidslink.ndsa.on.ca.

Accredited by Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), kidsLINK must undergo an extensive review every four years, the latest of which took place in early February. We're pleased to announce that we passed with flying colours, achieving an overall score of 99%. Here are some comments from the team that performed our accreditation review:

"kidsLINK enjoys an excellent reputation in the community and among other agencies as a children's service of high repute. The Site Review Team was impressed by the devotion to excellence shown by the board's vision of a "centre of excellence" carried out by a devoted staff. Another guiding principle enunciated by the CEO and apparently embraced by staff is that they "do not give up on children". We noted that cooperating agencies in the community have a high regard for kidsLINK and prefer this centre as a source of help for children."

The first week in May is designated National Child and Youth Counsellor Week. With this in mind, we'd like to acknowledge and thank our numerous Child and Youth Counsellors (CYCs) for the great work they do on behalf of kidsLINK to serve children, youth and families. CYCs comprise the single largest employee designation at kidsLINK. Their work is challenging and at times very demanding, and the dedication and commitment that these individuals lend to their occupation must not go unnoticed. For more information about the role of CYCs, visit the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors at www.oacyc.org.

The Canadian Mental Health Association's national Mental Health Week is May 1-7, 2006. This year's awareness and education campaign builds on last year's theme of "Practising Mind + Body Fitness", and brings awareness to the fact that good health consists of both emotional and physical health, not just the latter. For more information, visit www.cmha.ca.

Children's Mental Health Ontario is celebrating Children's Mental Health Week from May 7-13, 2006. Why not use this week to educate yourself by visiting www.kidsmentalhealth.ca to learn more about the most common mental health concerns in children. Learn how to tell if a child you know may or may not have a mental health problem, and where to get help for that child if needed.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Saturday, June 17, 2006. That's when kidsLINK is hosting its Historical Dominion Day Bazaar in St. Agatha.

Plans are well underway for the event, which honours the 100th anniversary of a 1906 Dominion Day Bazaar held by the School Sisters of Notre Dame to raise funds for their orphanage, which later grew and expanded in scope to become the kidsLINK we know today.

A highlight of the Bazaar will be the opportunity for a birds-eye view of St. Agatha and surrounding area from a tethered hot air balloon. Other activities will include turn-of-the-century games, children's entertainment, bingo, horse-drawn carriage rides, historical displays, a craft bazaar and freshly-made popcorn and candy floss.

Volunteer opportunities are still available. If you'd like to help out, please contact the Dominion Day Bazaar Committee care of Beth Lee at 741-1122 ext. 234 or blee@ndsa.on.ca.

As a recipient of this e-zine, you likely have an interest in children's mental health. You may even know how to tell if a child is experiencing mental health challenges. But have you ever taken the time to examine your own mental health needs? Would you be able to tell if you needed help?

The Mood Disorders Association of Ontario, in collaboration with several other organizations, has developed an online screening process called "Check Up from the Neck Up", which allows individuals to quickly assess whether they should seek help from a mental health professional. It's simple, private, and only takes a few minutes. There's no need to provide your name or any other identifying information - you simply answer a few online questions.

Gourmet Trail 2006
The kidsLINK Foundation is busy preparing for the latest edition of its Gourmet Trail fundraiser, being held on the afternoon of May 6th, 2006. Once again, Bingemans in Kitchener will act as host for this event, which features tours to some of Waterloo Region's finest Restaurants, along with live and silent auctions. For further information, please contact the kidsLINK Foundation at (519) 746-0792 or foundation@ndsa.on.ca.

Popeye's Gym Annual Benchpress Contest
Popeye's Gym in Kitchener will be holding it's annual benchpress contest on May 27th, 2006, and all proceeds from entry fees will be donated to the kidsLINK Foundation. The event features a variety of weight categories for women, men and high school students. For more information, please contact (519) 579-8700 or chrisc@popeyesgym.com.