My Story…
On October 17th, I will be walking 5K to raise funds for the residential treatment facility for young adults of 18-35 years old with serious mental illness, called Eli's Place. This facility will be unique in Canada for this age group. It will help young adults coming out of the hospital to adapt back to the society. My long-time friends Deborah and David are the co-founders of Eli’s Place after loosing their son Eli to suicide. I am so impressed as to how my friends found the strength to turn this tragedy into a meaningful cause so that future tragedies can be spared for other families. The few times that I met Eli in the hospital I was impressed by his engaging personality. I still wonder the person he would have been today and the contributions he would have made to our society. That is why I am passionate about this cause, and I am determined to contribute to Deborah and David’s efforts to build Eli's Place.
Here is an exciting news: There have been impressive developments in the recent year; Eli's Place is anticipated to open its doors in the Fall 2026. They already hired senior leadership and staff. You can get more information from their website.
Description
There’s a real gap in our mental health system for young adults living with serious mental illness, and Eli’s Place is here to help fill it.
Eli's Place is a working farm where every part of life is designed to support recovery. For young adults living with serious mental illness and the people who care about them, it is the only long-term therapeutic community in Canada that integrates clinical care, meaningful work and belonging into everyday life.
That combination is what sets Eli's Place apart. Guests do not simply receive treatment and leave. They join a community where clinical care, work that matters and genuine belonging are part of the same daily life, with support that continues beyond their time in residence. The approach draws on a proven farm-based model with more than a century of results, now brought to Canada for the first time.
Your contribution helps make this possible. If you’re able, I’d be truly grateful for your support. Any amount helps young adults with serious mental illness build a life worth living.
Recent donors
| Donation date | Donor name | Donation amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 09 | Anonymous | CA$50.00 |
| Sep 08 | Paul Petras | CA$100.00 |
| Sep 08 | RUSTY STEWART | CA$27.80 |
| Sep 07 | Jenny and Jan Jongstra | CA$108.31 |