
Meet New Eli’s Place Board Member: Janis Lemon
With more than 25 years of experience as an actuary and a career grounded in long-term planning, stewardship, and sustainability, Janis brings both professional expertise and deep personal commitment to our mission.

Youth Wellness Hubs in Ontario
Youth Wellness Hubs are transforming how young people access support in Ontario. By bringing services together under a youth-centered model, the hubs make it easier to navigate care and connect with supports and services. With a strong focus on inclusion, cultural responsiveness, and the voices of youth and families, these hubs are shaping more equitable and effective mental health care. They offer a collaborative approach that strengthens communities and empowers young people on their wellness journey.

When Giving Declines, Community Matters More Than Ever
What happens to our communities when fewer people show up? Across the charitable sector, organizations are being asked to carry growing responsibility with shrinking participation. For mental health initiatives in particular, progress depends not only on funding, but on sustained human involvement, shared responsibility, and trust.

Therapeutic Milieu Treatment
Therapeutic milieu treatment is a recovery-focused, community-based approach where the environment itself becomes part of the therapy. Often called ‘community as treatment,’ it is structured, relational, and rooted in daily living. Canada is seriously lacking in these types of programs.

A Status Update on Eli’s Place from Board Chair Dr. Howard Hamer
Eli’s Place is moving toward its goal of becoming Canada’s first long-term rural residential treatment centre for young adults with serious mental illness — a model that blends therapeutic care with community, meaningful work, and life skills development. Below is the full letter sent to supporters from Dr. Howard Hamer, Board Chair of Eli’s Place.

How I Found Healing Through Spirituality and Religion
I was baptized into the Orthodox faith, however in my adult years I decided to further investigate my background to gain an understanding of what I truly believe in. I have learned that my strong sense of spirituality and deep-rooted religious practices have supported me immensely on my wellness and health recovery journey.