Starling Children's Mental Health

19/11/2025

The Home Depot campaign helps create new healthy pathways for youth at risk or experiencing homelessness in Canada.

From November 12 - December 21, when you donate in-store at Home Depot (Kitchener Sunrise Centre) you will support Starling's Safe Haven Youth Services.

Donate today at: https://ow.ly/hXWe50XtEhE

18/11/2025

✨Double the good this holiday season with TW Properties Annual Food Drive!

From Nov 17 – Dec 17, TW Properties will donate $2 for every pound of food collected for Cambridge Food Bank to the Starling Child and Family Foundation.

✅ What to donate:
✔️ Canned goods (beans, soups)
✔️ Pasta, rice, cereal, potatoes
✔️ fruits & vegetables

Want to help? Drop-off your food drive items to:
📍 165 King St, Kitchener
📍 35 Dickson St, Cambridge

Or contact the Starling Child and Family Foundation at foundation@starlingcs.ca or call us at 519-743-2246 ext. 1137

Let’s feed families and support youth in Waterloo Region this holiday season. 💙

13/11/2025

For many children and families supported by Starling Community Services, the holiday season is often the hardest time of year Last year, we saw a dramatic increase in families reaching out for help, and this year the need is expected to grow even greater. We Need Your Help.

Your team can support Starling’s Holiday Hope campaign to bring joy and restore hope for families struggling to get through the season. Contact Starling’s Child and Family Foundation at foundation@starlingcs.ca or 519-743-2246 ext. 1137 to learn how your business or community group can get involved.

12/11/2025

The campaign is back! From November 12 - December 21, when you donate in-store at Home Depot (Kitchener Sunrise Centre) or online, you’re supporting Starling's Safe Haven Youth Services and helping The Home Depot's mission to help prevent and end youth homelessness in Canada!

Donate online or in-store today!

Visit: https://ow.ly/LU3v50XqHTQ to donate online!

11/11/2025

Today, we remember and honour the brave individuals of all backgrounds who fought for our freedom. Their contributions should never be forgotten.

Lest We Forget 🌹

10/11/2025

If you are a teenager with anxiety, you might notice that your thoughts sometimes feel like your biggest challenge. Maybe you’ve caught yourself thinking things like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not good enough.” These kinds of thoughts can show up quickly and feel really convincing, even when they’re not based on facts.

The good news? You can learn to challenge these thoughts and shift your perspective. Read more on our Children's Mental Health blog at: https://ow.ly/JrZm50Xplf3

Learn to challenge negative thoughts and shift your perspective. It takes practice, but it’s a powerful way to build emotional strength and feel more in control!

07/11/2025

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who supported Hockey Helps the Homeless - Waterloo Region's 12th Annual Tournament, raising an INCREDIBLE $352,000 for local shelters and youth services in Waterloo Region! 🎉🥅🏒

Your support, donations, and volunteering continue to impact our community and the vital services provided at Starling's Safe Haven Youth Services, Cambridge Shelter Corporation - The Bridges, House of Friendship, oneROOF, The Working Centre and YWCA KW

Thank you! 🧡

Starling Housing Services

06/11/2025

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in Canada, and it’s happening right here in Waterloo Region.

At Starling's Safe Haven Youth Services in Downtown Kitchener, we meet kids in the aftermath, when there’s nowhere else to go, no one to call. Nowhere to feel safe.

But because of your support, we can say: “You’re safe now.”

And we’ve seen the change:
💜The first smile in weeks
💜Eye contact again
💜A youth saying, “I think I’m ready to try”

Your gift helps rewrite their story. Be the reason they believe in themselves again.

Donate Now to help a youth feel safe, seen, and supported.

Visit www.starlingcs.ca/support/donate

04/11/2025

We have a brand-new Gaga Pit for youth to enjoy during their outdoor leisure time at our Children's Mental Health Centre. 🏃‍♂️

Gaga Ball, a fast-paced, lower-impact twist on dodgeball, is played in a large octagonal pit and has quickly become a favorite among kids for its fun and inclusive gameplay.

A huge thank you to the amazing team at Enbridge for rolling up their sleeves and helping us build a Gaga pit, and to both Enbridge and The Home Depot for their generous support in making this dream a reality for the kids! 💜

30/10/2025

She was just 14 when she disappeared. And sadly, she's not alone...

Human trafficking is the fastest-growing crime in Canada, and it’s happening right here in Waterloo Region. Some children are never reported missing. Some have no one to turn to. But every single one deserves someone who cares enough to act.

At Safe Haven Youth Services in Downtown Kitchener, we meet kids in the aftermath, when safety has turned into trauma, when trust has been shattered, when there’s nowhere else to go. And we say: “You’re safe now.”

But we can’t keep saying those words without you. Your donation helps provide:
- A trained staff member to respond with care
- A clean blanket when everything else was left behind
- A warm bed and a safe place to sleep
- A plan to stay safe when they’re ready to leave
- A voice at 2:00 a.m. saying, “Come back. We’ve got you.”

The average age of human trafficking victims is just 13 to 15 years old.
Please, stand with us. Stand with them.
🔗 www.starlingcs.ca/support/donate

28/10/2025

Spending time outdoors isn’t just refreshing — it’s restorative for parents, kids and teens alike. Research shows that nature can:

🍂Help reduce stress and anxiety
🍂Boost mood and emotional wellbeing
🍂Restore focus and attention
🍂Strengthen feelings of connection with self and others
🍂Support learning by giving the brain a break from screens

Even short moments outside — like walking to school or enjoying a warm drink in the park — can make a meaningful difference.

📖 Want practical tips for making the most of outdoor time with your child? Read our blog: “Spending Time Outside: Benefits of Nature on Mental Health and Wellbeing.”

📌 Save this post for later or share it with someone who could use a gentle reminder to step outside.

24/10/2025

Today’s the big day! Good luck to everyone participating in Hockey Helps the Homeless - Waterloo Region annual Pro-Am Hockey Tournament fundraiser in support of our local shelter services including Safe Haven.