Unprecedented support from community leaders for CAMH's redevelopment

CAMH Connexions

Special Edition September 2006

CAMH receives two gifts of $5 million, the largest in its history

Over the years, mental illness and addiction have not attracted the same level of philanthropic support as many other comparable causes – largely because of the associated stigma. But recent gifts to the CAMH Foundation signal a dramatic change in this trend.

Arthur and Sonia Labatt, and the Beamish Family (through the WB Family Foundation), have each given $5 million – the largest gifts in CAMH’s history.

The gifts will help to transform CAMH’s Queen Street site into a hospital for the 21st century. Dr. Paul Garfinkel, CAMH’s President and CEO, said the redevelopment plans “are plans not to build new buildings, but to allow us to provide better care, to change attitudes, reduce stigma and transform our society into one that cares deeply about all human struggles and conditions.”

Both the Beamish and Labatt families have long histories of giving to many different charities. Why have they chosen to honour CAMH with such generous gifts?

“CAMH, a leader in its specialized field, is an organization in which Toronto, Ontario and Canada can take great pride,” said Arthur Labatt, pictured with his wife Sonia, at a reception to acknowledge their generosity, held last fall.

For Arthur and Sonia Labatt, CAMH’s excellence in research, treatment, education and health promotion matched their decision to focus their charitable giving on Canadian institutions that are world leaders.

“CAMH is already providing world-class clinical care and research, and when the project is complete it will have facilities to match,” said Arthur Labatt. “This will allow CAMH to attract and retain the very best people right here in Toronto.”

“CAMH, a leader in its specialized field, is an organization in which Toronto, Ontario and Canada can take great pride,” said Arthur Labatt, pictured with his wife Sonia, at a reception to acknowledge their generosity, held last fall.

For the Beamish family, it was recognition of the need to take leadership, and support a highly deserving and effective organization – yet one that, according to Heather Beamish, remains a “hard sell” because of stigma. “There’s no cute little kid on a billboard asking you to support CAMH,” she said.

Such definitive leadership support from prominent community members powerfully attests to the changing views of society towards mental health and addiction. It also shows the support from the community for CAMH’s vision.

With these and other gifts – and those to come – we will be able to continue to transform not only the landscape at our Queen Street site, but the lives of our clients and the way the world views mental illness and addiction.

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