Acts of Kindness for Mental Health Foundation
Vancouver, British Columbia
Branded fidget spinners propel mission of kindness
Ellen Gilfix retired from a 30-plus-year career working as a child and family therapist, but her commitment to helping young people facing mental health challenges didn’t end there. Five years ago, she launched the Acts of Kindness for Mental Health Foundation opens in new window—The AOK Project—drawing on her vast experience and strong connections with mental health organizations that support youth in Vancouver.
“I wasn’t ready to be done with the field,” said Gilfix, executive director and founder. “I remembered a conversation I had with a co-worker years ago. She came to me and asked if we had any money in a fund to help a client who couldn’t pay their bill. I said, ‘No, we don’t. But we should.’”
Fostering ‘Circles of Kindness’
The AOK Project provides wellness grants to youth and their families who have been affected by mental health challenges and face financial barriers. In turn, recipients are encouraged to pay it forward with acts of kindness for a person or organization of their choice—creating a “Circle of Kindness.” Wellness grants can be used for a variety of needs, such as purchasing essential items or registering for recreational or vocational classes.
“When I was a therapist, there weren’t any resources for youth who needed extra support,” Gilfix said. “We would encourage young people to take a course or explore their creativity to help with anxiety or depression—but they often couldn’t afford it. That financial barrier seriously impacted their recovery.”
To begin her mission of bringing joy and financial relief to youth and families facing mental health challenges, Gilfix started fundraising by picking plums off a backyard tree, bagging them and selling them in the neighbourhood. She’s since expanded fundraising efforts to include grants and a variety of events, including trivia contests and cooking demonstrations.
Kindness bags include branded fidget spinners
During the holiday season, Gilfix and volunteers packed gift bags dubbed “kindness bags” to distribute to youth with mental health challenges. The bags included personal hygiene products, hats, gloves, socks, umbrellas, snacks and more. A one by one grant provided branded fidget spinners opens in new window, which Gilfix said were a wonderful addition. “In the mental health field, a lot of youth have sensory needs,” she said. “A fidget spinner is a great coping strategy,” she added.
A note from Cheryl
The story behind The AOK Project and its mission of connecting young people and families with critical mental health resources is inspiring. We were pleased to provide branded fidget spinners to help spread joy and kindness during the holidays. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.ca opens in new window.
For more information about Acts of Kindness for Mental Health Foundation, please visit https://www.theaokproject.ca/ opens in new window