Sandra_Hanington

Jack.org

Jack.org

Canadian youth mental health charity

Jack.org (formerly known as The Jack Project under the charitable organization Kids Help Phone) is a Canadian non-profit organization focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Founded in 2010, the organization has four main programs: Jack Chapters, Jack Talks, Jack Summit, and Jack Ride.[4]

Quick Facts Formation, Founder ...

History

In 2010, Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington founded "The Jack Project". The project was named after their son, Jack Windeler, who had died by suicide when he was 18 years old.[5][6] In Jack Windeler's parting letter, he asked for his parents to help others.[7] To honor his wishes, they focused on helping young people struggling with mental health issues.

Initially, the pair collaborated with Kids Help Phone to create the Jack Windeler Memorial Fund in their late son's honor.[8] The fund raised almost $1 million that was used to expand existing health initiatives.[9] They decided to formally launch the Jack Project in April 2010.[7] By July 2010, Eric Windeler had left his software company to work on the Jack Project full-time.[8] In early days, the organization's efforts focused on workshops, outreach programs, and live chat services, which specifically targeted Canadian youth in the age of technology.[10][9] In addition to their initiatives with Kids Help Phone, they started the Jack Ride program in 2010. This program brings individuals of all ages together to ride their bikes and fund-raise for youth mental health.

In 2012, The Jack Project re-branded to Jack.org.[8]

Today, Jack.org has over 150 active chapters in universities, colleges, and high schools across Canada. The program also maintains more than 80 trained Jack Talks speakers who have delivered 250 talks to date.[11] They also host 200 students annually at a national summit in Toronto, which is the largest youth-led mental health conference.[12]

In May 2018, Ben Sabic — Chair of Kids Help Phone's National Youth Council — led a partnership with Jack.org and the council,[13] to support the organization's "We Are Ready campaign".[14] Through posts across Facebook and Twitter, the goal was to generate greater awareness around the campaign.[15]

Royal Recognition

On October 1, 2016, Prince William and Kate Middleton accompanied 18 youth mental health advocates from Jack.org on a sailing ride on the Pacific Grace.[16] The Duke and Duchess have made a priority of dispelling the stigma around mental health, as evidence by their campaign, Heads Together. As such, the pair has commended Jack.org on their efforts in the youth mental health space. Prince William has continued to show his support for the organization and made a video appearance at the 2018 Jack Summit.[17]

Be There

In 2019, Jack.org launched an online mental health resource for young people in Canada called Be There.[18] The resource was launched as part of Mental Health Week,[19] a nationwide initiative by the Canadian Mental Health Association.[20]

References

  1. [1]
    "Eric Windeler", Ontario Minds. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  2. [2]
    "Jack.org — Quick View", Government of Canada. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  3. [3]
    "Financial Statement 2019" (PDF). Jack.org. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  4. [4]
    "Jack.org", Centre for Social Innovation. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  5. [5]
    "The Jack Project: Talking about suicide prevention". York Region. 25 Mar 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  6. [6]
    Waldie, Paul (4 Dec 2015). "Toronto family's tragic loss inspires Jack.org youth mental health charity". The Globe And Mail. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  7. [7]
    Er-Chua, Gloria (April 1, 2010). "Remembering Jack". Queen's Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  8. [8]
    "Very emotional' time as Windeler receives honorary degree". The Whig. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  9. [9]
    Hunter, Paul (3 Dec 2011). "Teen suicide: Thinking back to Jack". The Star. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  10. [10]
    Fernandez-Blance, Katherine (July 26, 2011). "The Jack Project". Queen's Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. [11]
    "Talks". jack.org. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  12. [12]
    "National Jack Summit". jack.org. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  13. [13]
    "Ben Sabic - Facebook Page". Facebook. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  14. [14]
    "Ben Sabic - Twitter Profile". Twitter. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  15. [15]
    "Ben Sabic - Twitter Profile". Twitter. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  16. [16]
    Heidenreich, Phil (2 Oct 2016). "Edmonton activist speaks to Will and Kate about mental health in Victoria". Global News. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  17. [17]
    Samhan, Jamie (6 Mar 2018). "Prince William's surprise appearance at Toronto mental health event". Royal Central. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  18. [18]
    Jack.org. "Jack.org Launches Be There to help young people in Canada learn how to support each other through mental health struggles". Cision Newswire. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  19. [19]
    "Online resource helps young people 'be there' for friends with mental illnesses". CBC News. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  20. [20]
    "CMHA Mental Health Week". Canadian Mental Health Association. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
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