Every child deserves a safe, supportive space to grow, learn and thrive. For many families in Saskatoon, accessing essential mental health support is a challenge. Long wait times, financial barriers and systemic barriers often mean that those who need help the most are left struggling. BGC Saskatoon is working to change that.
“For low- and middle-income families, getting mental health support through the public system often means waiting nine months to a year and a half,” said Heidi Carl, CEO of BGC Saskatoon. “By the time they reach the top of the list, their phone number might have changed two or three times, or they’ve moved. We’re able to bridge that gap because they trust us.”
Providing access when it matters most
For over 50 years, BGC Saskatoon has been a trusted resource, providing early learning programs, after-school care and food security initiatives. Mental health support remains one of the most urgent needs in the community. That’s where Rosewater Connection is making a difference.
Unlike many traditional services, Rosewater isn’t just a program — it’s an initiative designed to adapt to the needs of families. It provides mental health training for staff, a parenting program that creates safe spaces for discussion and individual and family therapy sessions. The goal is simple but critical: to ensure that mental health care isn’t just a privilege for those who can afford it — it’s a right for everyone.
“We know from research that when a young person says, ‘I need help,’ they need access to support quickly,” Carl explained. “Even if they’re lucky enough to get a referral, they might only get three or four sessions, which isn’t enough. That’s why Rosewater Connection exists — to ensure consistent, ongoing support.”
Real stories, real impact
The impact of Rosewater Connection is best told through the lives it has changed.
One mother, who had her son taken into care when he was 10 years old, struggled to reconnect with him when he moved back in at 23. Navigating the challenges of parenting an adult while still grieving the years they lost was overwhelming. But through Rosewater, she found the support she needed to rebuild their relationship.
“She told us, ‘I wasn’t seen. I wasn’t heard. I was living in a hole, and Rosewater gave me a hand up,’” Carl shared. “But she did the work. We provide the opportunity, but it’s these parents, these children, these families who step up and take it.”
Another participant, Saskatoon H, first joined our Parenting Program in 2018. As a young mother of five children, she turned to Rosewater Connection for guidance. Through the program, she gained the confidence to share her story and, in time, published her own journal on healing and resilience.
To celebrate her achievement, BGC Saskatoon hosted her book launch, reinforcing that her voice matters. “She told us, ‘For the first time, I feel seen. I feel heard. I feel like I exist,’” Carl recalled.
How Yardi is making a difference
Yardi is proud to be a supporter of Rosewater Connection, funding 208 therapy sessions annually. In 2024, BGC Saskatoon provided over 900 sessions, helping children, youth and families navigate complex mental health challenges with consistent, professional support.
Carl emphasizes the transformational impact of these contributions. “Mental health services often feel out of reach. When families arrive at our sessions, they say, ‘I can’t believe this is actually happening. I can’t believe I can sit down with a therapist today.’ Yardi is making that possible.”
These services go beyond just crisis response. They create long-term stability. Many participants return for continued support, knowing that Rosewater is a trusted resource that won’t disappear.
“Without Yardi’s funding, many of these families wouldn’t be able to access therapy at all,” Carl says. “What we’re doing together isn’t just providing services — it’s changing lives.”
Get involved
Beyond financial contributions, Yardi employees and community members have an opportunity to make a direct impact. One of the most immediate ways to help is through food security initiatives, such as assembling hampers for families in need.
“For kids in our Pleasant Hill program — an area with the highest crime rate and lowest income in Saskatoon —meals are often their main source of nutrition,” Carl explains. “If we don’t send food home on Fridays, many of these families struggle over the weekend.”
Interested in volunteering?
Volunteers can contribute through mentorship, job coaching or life skills training. Contact Heidi Carl at [email protected] to learn how you can support this vital work.
At Yardi, we believe that mental health support should be available to everyone. Through Rosewater Connection, BGC Saskatoon is ensuring that families don’t have to struggle alone, and we’re honored to be part of that mission.
Learn more about Yardi’s philanthropic initiatives.
