Kitchener:  Mosaic Counselling and Family Services and kidsLINK (Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc.) are pleased to announce today the amalgamation of these two long-standing and successful social and mental health service leaders. The Ministry of Government Services has approved the incorporation of the new organization that will operate as Carizon Family and Community Services as of April 1^st, 2013.  Read more…

St. Agatha, Ontario, July 18, 2012 – Enabling children and youth to take charge of their own wellness not only results in healthier kids but a more sustainable healthcare system, kidsLINK CEO, Sonia Pouyat says.With shrinking resources and increasing pressure on mental health services, kidsLINK has carved out a new path for the future.kidsLINK unveils an approach to care that will ultimately help young people choose wellness, be resilient and heal from trauma.The organization is moving in the direction that positions wellness, resilience and the impact of psychological trauma as the lens through which all its operations, programs and services are delivered.  Read More…

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON: July 4, 2012- After assessing the potential benefits for the Region of Waterloo, and following a thorough collaboration and consultation process, the Board of Directors of Notre Dame of St. Agatha (operating as kidsLINK) and of Mosaic Counselling and Family Services are excited to announce a recommendation for the amalgamation of the two agencies.Both kidsLINK and Mosaic are recognized for their leadership in providing a multitude of services that strengthen individuals, families and neighbourhoods. The two organizations have similar histories and compatible values and beliefs. kidsLINK for 154 years and Mosaic for more than 50 years have been operating within Waterloo Region, responding to the changing needs of the community and the clients served.A merger of these two agencies would result in an even stronger, more comprehensive and integrated approach to providing community services in the area of child and youth mental health, professional services, respite care, youth engagement and development, family violence, individual and family counselling, credit counselling, settlement supports and community wellness.   Read More…

ST. AGATHA, Ontario, May 30, 2012 –Influential change-makers connected to child and youth services have called for service systems that address psychological trauma in young people, which is pervasive in Canada.
According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, failure to address childhood trauma may lead to disease, disability or early death. Dr Ann Jennings, Executive Director of the Anna Institute, a non-profit organization based in the United States, entwined her personal story with statistical data to explain the reality of adverse childhood experiences as the greatest health challenge faced by society. Read More…

St. Agatha, Ontario, May 24, 2012 – Creating a caring system that understands psychological trauma, its impact and how to respond to it is the main focus of an Invitational Symposium that will be held on May 29, 2012 at kidsLINK in St Agatha, Ontario.Hosted by kidsLINK, the historic conversation between regional system leaders, policy makers, senior provincial officials and agency leaders will explore:  Why a Trauma-informed System of Care Ensures Better Outcomes for Children and Youth. The cost and consequences of un-addressed childhood trauma to the society and economy will be considered.  Read More

Waterloo Region’s finest restaurants will be serving up a spectacular array of gourmet cuisine during kidsLINK’s 14^th Annual Gourmet Trail on Saturday, May 5, 2012. This one-day gala event brings together more than 20 of the Region’s finest restaurants and chefs for a taste of their signature dishes, which are sure to put smiles on the faces of the more than 400 participants while contributing to a good cause.  Read More

St. Agatha, Ontario, November 3, 2011 – A man impersonating a kidsLINK employee is reported to be soliciting door-to-door donations in Paris, Ontario. A woman who encountered the impersonator at her front door informed kidsLINK of this incident on November 2, 2011. She said the man wore a kidsLINKcares badge and became “verbally aggressive” when she refused to give him a donation. Read More