(L-R) Kent Scales, Chair of the Holland College Foundation Board of Directors; Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, Holland College President; Matt Crossman, Vice President of Operations, Medavie Health Services; Hon. Jenn Redmond, Minister of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population; and Chrystil Baytos, Holland College Student Union Board of Directors.

Medavie, an organization dedicated to improving the wellbeing of Canadians, has made a $200,000 gift through its Foundation to the Holland College Foundation for Thrive, a $2.5 million fundraising effort to establish a centre for student wellness, resilience, and success.

Medavie, through its Foundation, invests in community initiatives and partners with organizations that focus on some of the most pressing mental and physical health challenges facing Canadians. Within the area of youth mental health, Medavie strives to increase access to community-based resources and services with a focus on counselling and therapy delivered by mental health professionals to address the range of mental health symptoms and challenges an individual may experience.

“As a health solutions partner, Medavie is proud to invest in solutions focused on improving the wellbeing of the communities we serve,” said Matthew Crossman, Vice President of Operations, Medavie Health Services. “Supporting Holland College’s Thrive Campaign, through our Foundation, will provide timely and appropriate mental health supports for the next generation. We know this is incredibly important for students as they work their way through their studies and prepare to launch themselves into the world.”

Holland College President, Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, noted that given the impacts of the global pandemic, supporting the mental health of students has never been more important.

“Helping students develop coping skills while learning how to care for their mental health and seek support when they need it will go a long way toward building resiliency and achieving personal and professional autonomy,” said MacDonald. “This is a shared priority for Holland College and Medavie, and we are grateful for their leadership and support.”

A broad, integrated suite of services will be offered through the centre. These include mental health supports, a health clinic, academic support services, and career and academic counselling. Lifelong determinants of health such as sleep, diet, exercise, and social interaction will also be emphasized. Satellite offerings will ensure all students have access to resources, regardless of their location.

“Medavie’s gift to this important campaign will have a lasting impact in our province,” said Kent Scales, Chair of the Holland College Foundation Board of Directors. “Their investment in this initiative will not only support students during their time at Holland College, it will go a long way toward cultivating healthier communities.”

To learn more about the Thrive campaign and how you can contribute, visit hollandcollege.com/foundation.

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Backgrounder:

To house the centre, Holland College is renovating and expanding a 4,300 sq.-ft. building at its Prince of Wales Campus and doubling its size. Satellite offerings and services will be available to students provincewide. Renovations and construction of the building began in April of 2023, and the centre is scheduled to be operational in September of 2024.

A broad, integrated suite of services will be offered through the centre. These include mental health supports, a health clinic, academic support services, and career and academic counselling. Lifelong determinants of health such as sleep, diet, exercise, and social interaction will also be emphasized.

A slate of entrance awards will be established for students who have diagnosed learning disabilities and/or mental health issues.

The expected impact is a reduction in student attrition, successful transitions into the workforce, and a strengthening of student resiliency and coping skills that will benefit the economy and enrich our communities.