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==Corporate Partners==
==Corporate partners==
{{unreferenced section|date=Maty 2018}}
{{unreferenced section|date=Maty 2018}}
* [[Accenture]]
* [[Accenture]]

Revision as of 15:41, 19 May 2018

Jack.org
Formation2010 [1]
Founder
Registration no.848521837 RR0001 [2]
Legal statusCharitable organization[2]; non-profit organization
PurposeYouth mental health; suicide prevention
Location
Coordinates43°39′00″N 79°23′50″W / 43.650122°N 79.397248°W / 43.650122; -79.397248
Membership (2018)
2,500+ student leaders [3]
Eric Windeler
Revenue (2017)
$2,171,490[4]
Expenses (2017)$1,675,473[4]
Websitewww.jack.org
Formerly called
The Jack Project @ Kids Help Phone

Jack.org (formerly known as The Jack Project @ Kids Help Phone), founded in 2010, is a Canadian non-profit organization focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. The organization has four main programs: Jack Chapters, Jack Talks, Jack Summit, and Jack Ride. Through these programs, the organization intends to “encourage and enable young people to become leaders in the mental health conversation.”[5] Further, their mission statement is as follows:

“Jack.org is a charity that trains and empowers young leaders who are revolutionizing mental health. Jack.org is working towards a Canada where all young people understand how to take care of their own mental health and look out for each other. A Canada without shame and where all those that need support get the help they deserve. With a national network of 2,500 young leaders, we’re only just getting started.”

History

In 2010, Eric Windeler and Sandra Hanington founded The Jack Project (Jack.org’s original name) after their son, Jack Windeler, died at 18 years old by suicide.[6] [7] In Jack’s parting letter, he asked for his parents to help others.[8] As such, they were driven to help young people struggling with mental health. Initially, the pair collaborated with Kids Help Phone, creating the Jack Windeler Memorial Fund in their late son’s honour.[9] The fund raised almost $1 million.[10] Through this fund, they funded many mental health initiatives. Eventually, they decided to start their own initiative, The Jack Project, in April 2010.[8] By July 2010, Windeler left his software company to work on the initiative full-time.[9] In early days, the organization’s efforts focused on workshops, outreach programs, and live chat services, which specifically targeted Canadian youth in the age of technology.[11] [10] In addition to their initiatives with Kids Help Phone, they started the Jack Ride program in 2010. This program brings individuals of all ages together to ride their bikes and fundraise for youth mental health.

In 2012, The Jack Project rebranded to Jack.org.[9] With new focus on working directly with student leaders, the organization moved to Queen’s University to develop content that was youth-led and inspired. A year later, in July 2013, Jack.org received official charitable status.[12] After becoming its own entity, the organization expanded to high schools and universities across Canada.

Today Jack.org has 150+ active chapters in universities, colleges and high schools across Canada; 80+ trained Jack Talks speakers, who have delivered 250 talks to date; and a national summit in Toronto, which hosts 200 students annually.[3]

Royal Recognition

File:Jack.org Will and Kate.jpg
Prince William and Kate Middleton on the Pacific Grace with Jack.org.

On October 1, 2016, Prince William and Kate Middleton accompanied 18 youth mental health advocates from Jack.org on a sailing ride on the Pacific Grace.[13] The Duke and Duchess have shown their priority of dispelling stigma around mental health, as evidenced by their campaign Heads Together. As such, the pair commended Jack.org on their efforts in the youth mental health space. Prince William has continued to show his support for the organization, making a video appearance at the 2018 Jack Summit.[14]


Programs

Jack Chapters

File:Jack.org UBC.jpg
Students from the Jack Chapter at University of British Columbia

Jack Chapters are a network of youth-led clubs, which focus on empowering local youth leaders to increase mental health literacy and awareness in their school community.[15] Each chapter creates initiatives to address barriers and issues surrounding mental health affecting their specific community. The parent organization provides support to regional chapters by providing various materials, including but not limited to funding, training handbooks, and branded merchandise. In 2018, there were 150+ active chapters in Canada, and this figure grows annually. [3]

File:Dan at John Polanyi Collegiate Institute.jpg
Jack Talk speaker, Daniel Derkach, speaking at John Polanyi Collegiate Institute.

Jack Talks

Jack Talks is a peer-to-peer outreach program.[16] Using contact-based education, Jack Talks speakers present to different high-schools, post-secondary institutions, and youth organizations across the country. The speakers are trained using a professionally developed curriculum, which covers topics such as public speaking skills, mental health knowledge, and safe storytelling.[16] As of 2018, there were 80+ Jack Talks speakers, originating from various provinces and territories across Canada, who had cumulatively delivered 250+ talks in the fiscal year.[3]

Jack Summit

File:Jack Summit donut photo.jpg
Co-founder, Eric Windeler, accompanied by the student delegates of Jack Summit 2018.

Jack Summit is an annual, mental health-themed conference the organization hosts in Toronto. Each year, 200 student delegates are selected to attend from across Canada.[17] The aim of the conference is to connect student leaders with one another, in hopes that they can share their ideas, learnings, and experiences. The conference spans three days, in which delegates participate in mental health workshops and presentations.[17] Additionally, there are opportunities to develop their leadership skills, such as public speaking, event planning, and networking.

Regional Summits

In addition to the primary Jack Summit, there are regional summits, which are held and organized by student leaders in the region.[18] The overall aim of regional summits aligns with the central Jack Summit. However, there is a greater focus on bringing projects back to their home schools. The parent organization ample support to regional summits to ensure the success of the event.[18]

Jack Ride

File:Jack Ride 2018.jpg
Riders pictured before the 2017 Jack Ride commences in Caledon, Ontario.

Jack Ride is Jack.org’s first and largest annual fundraising event. The first Jack Ride occurred in 2010, hosting 70 riders. The event has since grown, attracting 890 bike riders to raise over $700,000 for youth mental health initiatives in 2017. There are various routes available, with the longest being more than 100 km long. The event is located in Caledon, Ontario each year and is carried out by a combination of the organization’s staff and hundreds of student volunteers.[19]


Everesting

Everesting, a spinoff of Jack Ride, is a bike challenge in which teams of 2-8 riders cumulatively bike uphill 8,848m (the distance equivalent to the elevation of Mount Everest).[20] The project started in 2017.[21]

Additional Projects

In addition to the organization’s four main programs, Jack.org has additional projects and develops new initiatives on an ongoing basis. They have associated with Uber in Canada to increase conversations around mental health. [22]

Be There

Launched in December 2017, “Be There” is an interactive web-based mental health resource aimed at educating individuals, particularly youth, about dealing and/or supporting someone struggling with mental health issues. [citation needed]

Awards and Recognition

As the co-founder and executive director of Jack.org, Eric Windeler has been recognized on many occasions for his efforts in the mental health space.

  • 2013 - Champion of Mental Health Award from Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH)[23]
  • 2013 - Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal[24]
  • 2015 - Honorary Degree (LLD) at Queen’s University, recognizing his work in the field of mental health
  • 2017 - Queen’s Alumni Humanitarian of the Year Award
  • 2017 - 150 CAMH Difference Makers for Mental Health in Canada[25]
  • 2018 - Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) from the office of the Governor General*[26]

* - Sandra Hanington, co-founder of Jack.org, was also awarded this recognition.

Board of Directors

Position Name Affiliations
Board Chair Gillian Evans Founding Chair of Jack Ride
Board Vice-Chair William Morris
  • Senior Managing Director and Canada President for Accenture
  • Board Member of Enablis
  • Vice-Chair of the Energy Policy Institute of Canada
Co-Founder Sandra Hanington
Board Member Kelly Meighen
Board Member Blair Cowan Senior Vice-President, Corporate Finance at CIBC
Board Member Norm Emblem Senior Litigation Partner with Dentons Canada LLPs, Toronto Office
Board Member D’arci McFadden Public Affairs Consultant at NATIONAL Public Relations
Board Member Harvey Lam Management Consultant at Accenture Strategy
Board Member Dr. David Goldbloom
Board Member Dr. Paul Kurdyak Clinical Director of Emergency Crisis Services and Head of Research in the Centralized Assessment, Triage and Support Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Corporate partners

References

  1. ^ “Eric Windeler”, ‘’Ontario Minds’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b “Jack.org — Quick View”, ‘’Government of Canada’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d “jack.org/about”, ‘’Jack.org’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  4. ^ a b “Annual Report”, ‘’Jack.org’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  5. ^ “Jack.org”, ‘’Centre for Social Innovation’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  6. ^ "The Jack Project: Talking about suicide prevention". York Region. 25 Mar 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  7. ^ Waldie, Paul (4 Dec 2015). "Toronto family's tragic loss inspires Jack.org youth mental health charity". The Globe And Mail. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  8. ^ a b Er-Chua, Gloria (April 1, 2010). "Remembering Jack". Queen’s Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  9. ^ a b c "Very emotional' time as Windeler receives honorary degree". The Whig. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  10. ^ a b Hunter, Paul (3 Dec 2011). "Teen suicide: Thinking back to Jack". The Star. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  11. ^ Fernandez-Blance, Katherine (July 26, 2011). "The Jack Project". Queen's Journal. Retrieved 15 May 2018. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  12. ^ "Jack.org — Quick View". Government of Canada. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  13. ^ Heidenreich, Phil (2 Oct 2016). "Edmonton activist speaks to Will and Kate about mental health in Victoria". Global News. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  14. ^ Samhan, Jamie (6 Mar 2018). "Prince William's surprise appearance at Toronto mental health event". Royal Central. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Chapters". Jack.org. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Canadian Youth Leading the Conversation During Mental Health Awareness Week". Cision. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  17. ^ a b "What is Jack Summit?". Jack.org. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Regional Summits". Jack.org. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  19. ^ "Welcome to Jack Ride: Canada's Ride for Youth Mental Health."". Jack.org. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Larry Optis reaches exclusive 10,000 m club on Everesting ride in support of youth mental health". Canadian Cycling Magazine. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  21. ^ "STRONGER THAN THE MOUNTAIN". Jack.org. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  22. ^ "Uber + Jack.org team up to get Edmontonians talking". Uber. 18 Feb 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  23. ^ “Eric Windeler, Com'82 - Mental Health Champion”, ‘’Queen’s University’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  24. ^ “The Diamond Jubilee Medal”, ‘’The Governor General of Canada’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  25. ^ “The 150 Leading Canadians For Mental Health”, ‘’CAMH’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
  26. ^ “Presentation of Honours in Toronto”, ‘’The Governor General of Canada’’. Retrieved on 15 May 2018.
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