Local "Be Human" initiative unites community for change

Have you ever wanted to help out, but didn’t know the first place to start? With the constant bombardment of bad news from around the world, it’s easy to fall into thinking you can’t make a difference. What can you, as one person, really accomplish?

A lot, in fact.

Not only are individuals making a difference worldwide, but our own community is made a little better every day by people who refuse to be deterred by the overwhelming need. It may sound like a cliche, but every little bit really does help. A group of local leaders has proved just that in their efforts to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health in Kelowna.

The local Be Human Initiative was born from this notion, that not only should we do all we can to help, but that helping is a key part of what it means to be human. Motivated by the vision of a community that gives back with no alternative motives, this local non-profit organization is not looking for recognition or applause. They are simply a group of people that are moved by issues within our community and have stepped up to help.

Be Human was started by a group of local business owners and community leaders such as local lawyer and business owner Angela Roy, Sam Brovender and Rob Haberman of West Point Projects and The Keg, Chad Bannister of Bannister GM, Kevin Isabey of Rayburns Marine and Jane Hoffman of the Jane Hoffman Group. Uniting under a common goal and vision, they wanted to create a place where people could get together without self-driving factors.

“We want to help individuals and businesses make philanthropy a part of who they are in their day-to-day,” Angela Roy said of the cause. “We don’t want to act out of pity or sorrow, but instead we want to get involved in things we care about and do good simply because it’s the right thing to do.”

Their first goal: raising awareness and funds for Foundry Kelowna.

The “Not Alone” campaign, a collaboration between the KGH Foundation and CMHA Kelowna, launched last December with the goal of raising $2 million to support the opening of Foundry Kelowna, a new youth mental health centre in Kelowna. In just seven months they reached this goal, and the new facility will be opening its doors this September, all thanks to unique collaborations like the Be Human Initiative.

The Foundry’s central goal is to streamline mental health support for Kelowna’s youth so that they are able to access the services that they need, when they need them. The centre will integrate the services of up to 24 agencies, from clinical care to counseling and social services, all under one roof

“The traditional measures aren’t working,” Angela said of the need within Kelowna. “The Foundry will work at the grassroots level, tackling the root of this issue that affects us all.”

The Be Human Initiative put on an Evening for Awareness on May 29th, and collectively the group raised $142,000 for youth mental health in B.C. Over $100,000 went to the Not Alone campaign, but more than raising funds, the goal was to raise awareness and support for youth in our community.

The remainder of the funds went to the award-winning Robb Nash Project, which is an initiative that uses music and storytelling to educate youth on the risks of bullying, depression, suicide and addiction. In raising awareness about youth mental health and providing the funds, the project came to Kelowna and hosted over 600 local kids for an inspiring and life changing event.

The success of this campaign speaks volumes to the amazing sense of community responsibility we have in Kelowna, and the leaders who chose to step up and create a platform and catalyst for the cause. So, if you want to get involved you can join the movement through donation, get involved with Be Human or start your own conversations within your family or circle of influence.

The more we can, as a community, address and talk about mental health and issues that impact us as individuals, the more those suffering will realize they are not alone.

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