Student mental wellness and support services at Lambton College are getting a massive boost thanks to a $1-million donation from BMO.
The commitment, amounting to $100,000 annually over 10 years, was celebrated at the college during a news conference on Thursday.
The donation will enhance a range of student wellness initiatives, including peer-led programming such as the Lion’s Mind Peer Wellness Collective and the Lion’s Heart, Lambton College’s on-campus food bank and clothing closet.
The college will also be able to launch an on-campus breakfast program for those in need.
College President and CEO Rob Kardas thanked BMO for its generosity and noted the gift will be extremely beneficial for students.
He said they'll be able to access resources, connect with support, and build resilience in a caring and inclusive environment.
"There's always a stigma around things, whether it be mental health or just the need for help, when you need help with something," said Kardas. "Our staff do an excellent job creating such a welcoming environment that I think helps to overcome that stigma and make it known that it's okay. It's okay when you're having a bad day and you need to talk to someone. It's okay if you need a leg up and you need some groceries. We all go through these things in life, the ups and the downs, and our staff do a wonderful job helping to overcome that stigma."
Kardas expects the donation to help tens of thousands of students over the next decade, and beyond, noting many of them will get jobs locally.
"I often sit at graduation and I say to some of our students that if I knew about some of the things they've had to overcome to get to that day, I would be floored with what they've dealt with. Our students are resilient, but to have these services outside to just help bolster them on those days they need it are so critically important."
BMO Senior Vice President and Head of Ontario, Corporate Finance Sheri Griffiths said the college is an important community partner.
"When I first heard about Lion's Heart and Lion's Mind, what I loved about it, it wasn't just the services that were offered, it's really the philosophy behind it," said Griffiths. "What it brings from a peer-to-peer support and basic needs, that's the reason why for us it was just an easy fit for something that made sense to what we want to invest our money in in local communities. So I'm super proud that we're able to do that today."
Lambton College Student Administrative Council President Albin Gashi said beyond having a good time and attending classes, there's another side of being a student that the average person doesn't think about.
"There are students coming to school with nothing in their stomachs because they chose to feed their children instead. There are students deciding which meal they're going to skip to try and get by," said Gashi. "Others are struggling with anxiety or depression while pretending that nothing is wrong. All too often, there are students secretly wondering if they can keep going in their education. When you're dealing with those kinds of challenges, what makes the difference is knowing there's somewhere you can go where people like you are dealing with the same issues you are. We are so grateful for BMO's commitment to student wellness at Lambton College. This investment sends an important message to our student community. You matter."
