Sea to Tree Foundation will turn one year old this month and is inviting the community to celebrate.
An offshoot of Sea to Tree Health and Wellness, the Sea to Tree Foundation (STTF), was founded to increase access to mental health services in Sooke primarily through subsidized counselling.
"[Sea to Tree] realized that, you know, there is a need for free or low-cost mental health care," said Hermione Jefferis, the executive director of the STTF, explaining that in Sooke, the need for mental health resources is statistically higher.
"We don't have a whole lot of services here, especially for people who are struggling financially, and mental health care is a human right, we believe, so we're doing everything we can."
When the team began brainstorming how to make mental health services more accessible, the STTF was created as a new non-profit designed to serve Sooke.
Now it's been a year, they've got a board, an executive director, a partnership with the Edward Milne Community School Society and other local groups. Jefferis says the community has given them a warm welcome, and after a long first year, they are excited to celebrate.
To commemorate their first year, STTF will host a barbecue at Murrary Road Park, featuring face painting, That Bubble Guy and a barbecue provided by the Sooke Lions Society.
A silent auction will cap off the event featuring prizes including spa days, a SEAPARC family pass and a one-night stay at the Sooke Harbour House.
"Everything raised by the silent auction will be put into the Sea to Tree Foundation to cover the cost of running the foundation and to offer direct service," said Jefferis.
"Our community is so generous and so amazing. In fact, we had so many wonderful things donated that we're going to do another auction in the fall and then probably another one in the winter, because everyone has been so generous."
Jefferis says it's been a tough time to build a new non-profit, but with a year behind them, they hope to continue to grow their programs and services, and overall to have a bigger presence in the community.
"That's the goal, to just keep building and to keep growing alongside our community," she said.
Money raised from food sales will be split between STTF and the Sooke Harbourside Lions, who will be running the barbecue.
While they hope to raise money for the foundation, Jefferis says the event is really about introducing themselves.
"Hopefully, we'll raise lots of money, that's always a good thing. But I think more importantly, in some ways, is just for people to know about us. I want people to come out, meet us, hear more about the services we offer, meet the board, meet me and enjoy themselves coming together as a community."
The community barbecue and celebrations will take place Saturday, July 19, at Murray Road Park (2008 Murray Rd.) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested can participate in the silent auction ahead of the event and find information on all the items available at the Sea to Tree Silent Auction Fundraiser event page on Facebook.
