BGIS donates $1 Million to Kids Help Phone’s Cam’s Kids program to support youth mental health in Canada

BGIS, a Canadian facilities management company, has committed $1 million to Kids Help Phone’s Cam’s Kids program, an initiative focused on supporting youth mental health across Canada. 

The funding will allow Cam’s Kids to expand its network of student mental health ambassadors, helping more students access resources and support in schools and on campuses.

Cam’s Kids was established in memory of Cam Hicks, a Kids Help Phone Honorary Mental Health Ambassador. The program trains students to support their peers by providing mental health resources and fostering supportive environments. The goal is to increase awareness of Kids Help Phone’s services and help students manage mental health challenges.

Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7 national e-mental health service offering free, confidential, multi-lingual support to young people. As a virtual care provider, it offers youth a safe, trusted space to access support over the phone, through text, or through self-directed resources for any moment of crisis or need. 

BGIS’s donation continues the company’s ongoing support for Kids Help Phone. Gord Hicks, CEO of BGIS and a member of Kids Help Phone’s Board of Directors since 2019, stated:

"A cornerstone of BGIS' operating philosophy is caring for our communities, and the vision that we share for KHP's Cam's Kids Program is to enable young people to develop the skills and awareness to support others struggling with mental health, so they can leverage this knowledge throughout their entire life journey.

“We all know someone that is affected by mental health, and Cam's Kids Program empowers us to learn and get engaged to be able to offer assistance. BGIS deeply appreciates the amazing people within the Kids Help Phone Team, that are working tirelessly to help those in need, and we are honoured to make this contribution that we know will help make our communities better!"

The investment will enable Cam’s Kids to double the number of student ambassadors by 2029. These ambassadors provide support through in-person and online interactions, helping students navigate mental health challenges and encouraging them to seek help when needed.

Katherine Hay, President and CEO of Kids Help Phone, highlighted the partnership’s impact: 

"BGIS's investment is transformative, showcasing the power of partnership in creating life-changing mental health solutions.Together, we're shaping a brighter future for youth across Canada—one where every young person feels supported, connected, and empowered to navigate their mental health journey and even uplift others along the way."