Kids Help Phone’s Trained Counselors

Ryerson University student Teja Peltomaa aspires to work with children and young adults as a social worker. To prepare for her prospective career, Teja Peltomaa volunteers as a crisis text line responder with Kids Help Phone.

A 24/7 national support service for people of all ages throughout Canada, Kids Help Phone offers skilled, compassionate support in both English and French. In addition to texting services from trained volunteers, Kids Help Phone invites people to speak with a professional counsellor who can provide resources, information, and support. At three centers around the country, counsellors assist callers with topics ranging from depression and anxiety to relationship challenges.

Possessing diverse educational backgrounds, the counsellors are trained on issues related to mental health and well-being and are themselves supported by a clinically experienced team of counselling managers. After listening and asking questions to learn about a caller’s situation, counsellors offer guidance in developing strategies and solutions to help individuals overcome challenges.

 

Tips for Organizing a Food Drive

A student at Ryerson University in Toronto, Teja Peltomaa is pursuing a bachelor of social work. When she was a high school student attending Appleby College, Teja Peltomaa volunteered with community organizations such as the Oakville Fareshare Food Bank.

Located on Speers Road in Oakville, Ontario, the Oakville Fareshare Food Bank offers weekly pick-up services for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. To help support its operations, the organization encourages local schools and companies to organize food drives to collect donations.

For a successful food drive, organizers first should check the food bank’s website for current needs. Typically, nonperishable foods, canned foods, cleaning supplies, and baby items are in high demand. Food drive sorters are asked to pack donations in bags rather than boxes, avoid over-packing bags to make unpacking easy for volunteers, and arrange a delivery date to the food bank. Cash donations to food drives are always welcome since food banks use the money to purchase fresh meat, produce, and gift cards for families in need during the holidays.

Free Being Me Program Encourages

An aspiring social worker, Teja Peltomaa possesses an extensive volunteer background that includes work at retirement homes, food banks, and animal welfare organizations. While a high school student at Appleby College, Teja Peltomaa volunteered as a resource helper with Danielle's Place Eating Disorder Support and Resource Centre in Ontario, Canada.

Operating under the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), Danielle’s Place offers a range of therapeutic programs for young people with eating disorders or who are at risk of developing eating disorders. In addition to operating a walk-in clinic where people can access mental health therapists, Danielle’s Place offers groups such as Free Being Me.

Available twice a year, the 10-week Free Being Me program invites female-identifying young people aged 8 to 11 to attend weekly sessions on self-esteem and body confidence. Facilitated by trained volunteers, the program teaches young people to recognize society’s narrow standards of beauty and to nurture their own unique identities. Find more information at www.daniellesplace.org.