WINNIPEG – Bell Let’s Talk and the Canadian Red Cross announced today a $250,000 partnership, which will help expand the Red Cross’s Friendly Calls program to support Indigenous communities in Manitoba and elsewhere in Canada.
Friendly Calls pairs a trained Red Cross volunteer like Cheryl Horgan (pictured above) “with a youth or adult who is feeling isolated or lonely for a social conversation, and connects them with mental health resources available in their community to help meet their needs,” a press release explains.
The donation announced today “will help the Red Cross to work with regional Indigenous organizations, including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, to develop and expand the Friendly Calls program later this spring to serve the unique experience of Indigenous people around the country with a focus on cultural safety and community accessibility,” the press release says.
“All Canadian Red Cross volunteers and staff are diversity trained and receive cultural competency training with attention to issues that are specific and significant to First Nations.”
“Bell Let’s Talk is pleased to build on our existing partnership with the Canadian Red Cross to bring new mental health resources to Indigenous families that need them now more than ever,” said Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk, in the press release.
“The Canadian Red Cross has a proven track record of supporting culturally safe health and wellness programming in consultation with Indigenous communities and leaders and we look forward to supporting the growth of their important work to help more people living in rural and remote areas have access to critical mental health care and support.”
Bell Let’s Talk previously donated $700,000 to help expand the Friendly Calls program in 2020.
The Indigenous-specific Friendly Calls program announced today is being co-designed with several partners, including Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
“Program development has included the support of long-standing Canadian Red Cross partners like the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, ensuring effective and appropriate programming consistent with community-identified needs and priorities,” the press release says.
“The Canadian Red Cross collaborates with hundreds of Indigenous communities across Canada every year, developing and providing culturally safe and relevant programming to help people,” said Shelley Cardinal, director of Indigenous relations for Canadian Red Cross.
“This support from Bell Let’s Talk will enable the Red Cross to broaden our efforts with the Friendly Calls program and help further this culturally safe and community-led assistance.”
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Photo supplied by Bell Canada.
