Wishes for good health, happiness and wellness are a hallmark of the holidays; we all want the people we love to thrive in the new year ahead, and Cadillac Fairview is giving local youth the tools to make that happen.

For the past five years, the team at CF Fairview Park has been a dedicated supporter of the Propel program at Grand River Hospital, a mental health program that helps children and youth build resilience through engagement in community programs. To date, they’ve donated more than $76,000 to youth mental health initiatives at the hospital, and this holiday season they will be raising money for Grand River once again with their Visits with Santa experience.

“We always really partner very closely [with] the hospital,” said General Manager Lillian Stojanoski when asked about the team’s decision to continue to support Grand River. “We know it makes a difference in the community. We know that the funds are limited to help everywhere we need to, and we just felt that this was the right thing to do.”

Cadillac Fairview has a strong, company-wide commitment to creating positive change in the communities they serve, with a focus on helping youth. In recent years, mental health has also become a particularly important cornerstone in their work: All of the staff at their properties receive mental health training and certification, so everyone in the Cadillac Fairview community is empowered to help someone who may be struggling with their mental health. Their teams pride themselves on creating safe spaces in our communities for those who need it, and one of the ways the CF Fairview Park team ensures this for all of us is with their ongoing support of local organizations like Grand River Hospital Foundation.

In addition to a wonderful myriad of free holiday experiences and entertainment at the mall this year, their Visits with Santa experience is raising money for Grand River Hospital’s Propel program. This program puts community at the centre of mental health recovery and connects children and youth with opportunities to engage in community programs where they can learn new skills and build healthy, rewarding relationships, all while regaining their confidence and self-esteem. Whether it’s learning the mental discipline and focus of boxing, patiently building a relationship with a horse, being able to finally play that difficult piece of music or painting a picture that beautifully illustrates the complexity of your emotions, Propel provides youth with the chance to be challenged, supported and feel connected to their community and helps them imagine a brighter, fuller future. 

“I just feel that it’s important because, at the end of the day, if I were in that situation in any capacity where I needed resources, I would love to know that there are people who are supporting this,” explained Renée Howe, Guest Services Supervisor/Marketing Coordinator. 

Community involvement and creating positive social connections are critical for helping youth develop resilience and emotional wellness, and when you support CF Fairview Park’s Visits with Santa experience, you help make that possible for the children and families in our community. 

Visits with Santa at CF Fairview Park takes place from November 19, 2022 until December 24, 2022 and, thanks to our community’s generosity, is now sold out. Thank you to everyone who signed up for their support—all of the proceeds from Visits with Santa will be donated to Grand River Hospital Foundation to help children and youth receive mental health care.