Child Development Institute

June is National Indigenous History Month — a time to honour the cultures, traditions, experiences, and profound contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

At CDI, we know that reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility that requires collective commitment, accountability, and action over time.

This month and beyond, we remain committed to ongoing learning and action in support of Truth and Reconciliation, guided by our IDEA Action Plan. This includes working alongside Indigenous partners and communities, strengthening cultural responsiveness across our programs and services, and continuing to examine how our policies, practices, and systems can better support equitable outcomes for all.

As we celebrate the power of connection this , we also recognize how impact is strengthened through partnership.

CDI’s network of Affiliate Partners plays a critical role in expanding the reach of our Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®) and Mothers in Mind (MIM®) programs — connecting evidence-based supports to communities across Ontario, and Canada.

In 2024-25, our Affiliate Partners supported more than 11,000 children and youth, while deepening cultural responsiveness and adapting service delivery to reflect the unique strengths and needs of the communities they serve.

This year’s “Come Together” theme for is reflected in this work every day, through shared expertise, local leadership, and a collective commitment to improving outcomes for children, youth, and families.

Thank you to our Affiliate community for your ongoing dedication and collaboration. 💙

Interested in bringing SNAP or MIM to your community? For more information, visit:

SNAP: https://snap.childdevelop.ca/snap-affiliates/

MIM: https://childdevelop.ca/mothersinmind/for-professionals/

Connection is foundational to mental health.

For many of the young people CDI serves, navigating learning disabilities, mental health challenges, trauma, or behavioural issues can make it difficult to feel understood, build friendships, or find a sense of belonging. Without the right supports, these experiences can become isolating.

That’s why spaces intentionally designed for connection matter.

Across CDI’s programs and services — from Camp Towhee to SNAP groups and Here to Help programming — we create opportunities for children and youth to build confidence and connect with peers who understand their experiences.

For many, it is one of the first places they experience a true sense of belonging and connection.

This National Child and Youth Mental Health Day, your support can help more young people access programs that foster belonging and brighter futures.

Give today: https://childdevelop.ca/impact/donate/donate-now/

Today on Red Dress Day, we honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S+), as well as their families and communities.

This day is a powerful reminder of the ongoing systemic inequities faced by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada. At CDI, we recognize that meaningful mental health support for children and youth cannot be separated from this context.

Our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Action Plan includes a sustained commitment to Truth and Reconciliation — ensuring ongoing learning, listening, and action as we work alongside Indigenous partners and communities to ensure that our services reflect diverse cultures, identities, and lived experiences.

Today as we pause to reflect, we reaffirm our commitment to creating equitable outcomes for all those we serve.