GUELPH, ON, June 15, 2020 /CNW/ - The Co-operators has increased funding for Canadian youth and marginalized communities, as many struggle with mental health issues and insecurity related to COVID-19. In addition to the $205,000 in support funding for Youth Mental Health through ongoing partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC), Kids Help Phone and Enactus Canada, we've bolstered our investment by $220,000 in light of COVID.

"The Co-operators is committed to supporting mental wellness and community resilience for young Canadians, many of whom face significant obstacles and uncertainty," says Rob Wesseling, President and CEO, The Co-operators. "Engaging and supporting young people is an important part of enabling healthier, safer and more resilient Canadian communities."

In 2020, The Co-operators formed a new partnership with BGCC to develop a financial literacy program for kids age six to 17. While this work continues, COVID-19 has created other pressing community needs.

"During the COVID-19 crisis, Boys & Girls Clubs are on the frontlines for families across Canada, providing care packages, daycare for essential workers, virtual programming for kids of all ages, and other emergency needs," said Owen Charters, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada. "We are grateful to The Co-operators for their donation to our Emergency Relief Fund, which helps our Clubs continue this much-needed work."

How The Co-operators is supporting youth mental health during COVID-19:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada 
  https://www.bgccan.com/en/The Co-operators funding helps BGCC provide emergency support for its members, families and affected communities through no-contact food drops, drive-through food banks, crisis hotlines, meals and accommodations. Since 1900, Boys and Girls Clubs have opened their doors to children, youth and families, providing vital programs and services to over 200,000 young people in 700 communities across Canada.
  
  
• Kids Help Phone 
  The Co-operators is a founding partner of the Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone, which provides youth with a confidential, 24/7 texting service. We provided additional funding to hire more counsellors and volunteer crisis responders to handle the increased demand for texting support due to COVID-19. Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7national service offering professional counselling, information, referrals, and volunteer led text-based support for young people.
  
  
• Enactus Canada 
  The Co-operators partnership with Enactus Canada focuses on enhancing the mental health of post-secondary students, while providing the opportunity for them to do the same in their communities. The Co-operators Youth Mental Wellness Project Accelerator enables students to develop projects in support of community mental wellness, and we recently provided additional funding to launch a summer Grant Program to address mental health resiliency.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $47.3 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies, it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is ranked as the Corporate Knights' #1 Best 50 Corporate Citizen in Canada and listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Kincentric (formerly AON). For more information, visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators