Acts of Kindness For Mental Health Foundation: The AOK Project
The AOK Project grew out of an awareness that many children and youth who are engaged in mental health treatment experience financial barriers that prevent them from opportunities that would support their recovery.
By providing wellness grants that support mental health and recovery the AOK Project’s Acts of Kindness help to reduce stress, increase happiness, and improve mood, self-esteem and social connectedness. The wellness grants can be used for a wide variety of purposes including, recreational or academic courses, purchasing items such as sports equipment, or art supplies, or paying for healthcare needs.
In turn, grant recipients are encouraged to provide acts of kindness to a person or organization of their choosing. This creates and fosters Circles of Kindness that promote gratitude, compassion and resilience.
Acts of Kindness recipients must be a resident of Vancouver up to the age of 19 and be referred by a healthcare provider treating their mental health.
Benefits of The AOK Project include:
- Building capacity by providing access to opportunities that would not have been available
- Reducing isolation and supporting social connectedness
- Allowing the recipient to experience gratitude and compassion for self and others
- Creating circles of kindness that benefit everyone involved
Through Circles of Kindness, The AOK project has assisted children and youth with dance lessons, recreational activities, sports equipment, summer camp, tuition assistance, counselling and assessments, and more.
One hundred gift bags containing gift cards for groceries and personal hygiene items were distributed during the holiday season by The AOK Project to youth with mental health challenges in Vancouver.
“I am writing to say how grateful we are to you and the others at The AOK Project for involving us in this wonderful program. Too often insufficient finances create major barriers for countless vulnerable youth. To receive an unexpected gift such as this during the pandemic, and especially at this time of holiday celebration, will no doubt be a significant and pragmatic boost to young people dealing with mental health challenges and financial hardships.” – Mental Health Clinician
For more information visit https://www.theaokproject.ca