Tims eCamp partners with Kids Help Phone to tackle youth mental health

? Partnership gives Tims Campers exclusive access to 24/7 crisis support and resources ?

TORONTO, June 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Tim Hortons Foundation Camps is excited to announce a partnership with Kids Help Phone to provide essential mental health support to youth campers until the end of 2020. Through this partnership, all campers, including those who participate in Tim Hortons Foundation Camps new virtual Tims eCamp, will be supplied with an exclusive keyword. This keyword provides 24/7 access to Kids Help Phone's bilingual 24/7 texting service where campers can reach out to a trained-volunteer crisis responder for support on any issue, anywhere and anytime.

"Our youth's mental health is a critical priority for the Foundation," said Dave Newnham, President and Executive Director of the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. "This partnership with Kids Help Phone gives our campers a safe and reliable resource that they can count on in times of need."

For the past 45 years, the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps have proudly served nearly 300,000 youth from disadvantaged circumstances with life-changing camp experiences. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim Hortons Foundation Camps quickly pivoted to reimagine its summer camp programming with the launch of Tims eCamp starting July 6. This all-new, online camp experience focuses on supporting youth emotionally, socially and developmentally through this challenging time.

Shifting to a virtual camp brings additional challenges to camper mental health and safety. Kids Help Phone's service demand has increased 112% compared to this time last year. Typically during the in-person Summer Program, youth have access to trained Camper Support Specialists and nurses who can assist them when they are experiencing mental health issues. While some of these staff members will still be available during our virtual camp, forming a partnership with Kids Help Phone increases the ability to support youth 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"For young people, camp is a time to grow and build new skills and relationships; this new eCamp will provide hope and creativity at a time when kids need it most," said Katherine Hay, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. "Thanks to Tim Hortons Foundations Camp's support, Kids Help Phone will continue to offer 24/7 mental health and well-being services for the youth in Canada ? and the campers!"

The Foundation is committed to continuing to find innovative ways to help youth and their families through this difficult time. This association with Kids Help Phone is another step in that process.

Guests can donate to support the development of Tims eCamp by buying a coffee and participating in Tim Hortons Camp Day scheduled for August 12, 2020 ? our largest annual fundraiser ? and by visiting our website here or creating their own virtual fundraising event here.

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About Tim Hortons® Foundation Camps
Tim Hortons® Foundation Camps is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1974 helping kids to change their stories for the better. A leader in youth development programming, Tims Camps support youth from low income homes between the ages of 12 to 16 ? an important developmental time that helps shape who they will become as adults. Through a multi-year, camp-based program, youth learn skills like leadership, resilience and responsibility, which empower them to believe in their own potential and change their stories for the better. With seven camps in North America that run year-round Summer and School Programs, youth are supported to thrive when they return home, to excel in post-secondary education, to succeed at work and to contribute positively to their communities. The Foundation's funding comes from Tim Hortons Camp Day, fundraising activities, special events, and year-round public donations collected through counter and drive-thru coin boxes, as well as other donations. More than 295,000 kids have attended a Foundation camp at no cost to them or their families. For more information about Tim Hortons® Foundation Camps, please visit timhortons.com/foundation.

About Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, confidential support in English and French to young people. As the country's virtual care expert, we give millions of youth a safe, trusted space to talk over phone and online chat or through text in any moment of crisis or need. Through our digital transformation, we envision a future where every person in Canada is able to get the support they need, when they need it most, however they need it. Kids Help Phone gratefully relies on the generosity of donors, volunteers, stakeholder partners, corporate partners and governments to fuel and fund our programs. Learn more at www.KidsHelpPhone.ca or @KidsHelpPhone.

SOURCE Tim Hortons