Local advocates, a hospital community, and a sold-out room raise $80,000 for kids’ mental health in Waterloo Region
News Release
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. | May 28, 2026
More than $80,000 was raised on Wednesday night for child and youth mental health care at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN), as the third annual Stronger Together Mental Health Dinner brought together community advocates, donors, and clinical leaders at Rupert Street Recording Studio in Waterloo.
The funds will support WRHN's piloting of the Integrated Collaborative Care Project for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry — a first in Ontario model designed to reduce wait times and connect young people experiencing mental health challenges with coordinated, faster support across pediatrics, psychiatry, family medicine, and allied health.
In just three years, the Stronger Together dinner has now raised more than $195,000 for children's and youth mental health programming and equipment at WRHN (pronounced wren).
The evening also marked the presentation of the Bloom Awards, which recognize and honour individuals who use their voice, platform, and lived experience to break stigma and advance mental health support. Four recipients were honoured on Wednesday:
- Scott Tonelli, Mental Health Advocate and Fundraiser, received the Bloom Award for Community Impact. A decade after a personal crisis with his son inspired him to act, Tonelli's Change 4 Change holiday light show fundraiser in Arthur, Ont., has raised more than $40,000 for kids' mental health at WRHN. The event has become a place where neighbours and strangers gather, share their own stories, and chip away at stigma.
- Steven Page, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee and Order of Canada recipient, received the Bloom Award for Mental Health Advocacy. The Canadian musician has used his platform to speak openly about his own mental health journey, helping countless Canadians feel less alone in theirs.
- Tracy Valko, Founder of Valko Financial, received the Bloom Award for Mental Health Advocacy. Valko founded and has spearheaded the WRHN Foundation Stronger Together Mental Health Dinner since its inception, building the very event that has now raised six figures for kids' and youth mental health care in the region.
- Maddi Kolberg, Founder and CEO of Generations Collective, received the Bloom Award for Patient Resilience — recognized for turning profound personal loss and an ongoing family mental health journey into advocacy and support for other families facing the same.
"Mental health doesn't get better in silence — it gets better when people talk, when they're heard, and when communities like this one show up the way Waterloo Region did tonight."
— Steven Page, recipient, 2026 Bloom Award for Mental Health Advocacy
"This was our third Stronger Together Mental Health fundraiser and every time I get to this day, I’m overwhelmed with emotion. I can’t believe how much work, time, love, and care that comes from the foundation, from our amazing partners, and from businesses that come together for a cause that is much needed in our community."
— Tracy Valko, founder, WRHN Foundation Stronger Together Mental Health Dinner
The evening was emceed by realtor Scott Henderson and featured an intimate live performance by Steven Page in the Rupert Street studio.
The Stronger Together Mental Health Dinner was presented by Generations Collective, with support from SV Law, the Goodman Family Foundation, BMO, and Rupert Street Recording.
Donations in support of children's and youth mental health care at WRHN can be made at wrhnf.ca/donate/stronger-together.
Please credit: Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
WRHN Foundation media contact:
Melissa Couto
Communications Specialist
About Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Foundation raises funds to support life-saving care at Waterloo Regional Health Network. WRHN Foundation works in partnership with our community to help elevate the healthcare experience of WRHN patients and team members.
Thanks to generous support from donors, we raise funds for vital equipment, programs and resources at WRHN that are not covered by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Learn more at wrhnf.ca
About Waterloo Regional Health Network
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond.
WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, every patient is at the centre of everything we do as we strive to improve lives, inspire healing, and build healthier, stronger communities.
Learn more at wrhn.ca
