A walk-in counselling program has received a significant boost from Caesars Windsor.
Caesars Windsor Cares, the community-service arm for the hotel and entertainment complex, has provided a $25,000 corporate gift to the United Way Windsor-Essex County, to fund local mental health supports. The program is operated by Family Services Windsor Essex and provides mental health counselling at no cost to those people who are unable to pay for that kind of assistance.
Kelly Wolfe-Gregoire, vice-president of human resources for Caesars Windsor, said the casino has been a long-time benefactor for programs funded by the United Way.
"We are proud to be a long-time partner with United Way," said Wolfe-Gregoire. "With their community leadership and capacity building expertise we are able to spread our corporate investment further, to where the need is greatest."
The Community Counselling Partnership provides individuals, couples, and families with access to walk-in counselling. These options not only remove potential barriers that may prevent individuals from accessing support, but also the stigma that is still prevalent for people suffering in silence due to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
"The best way to support the mental health of our community is to make effective, affordable, and timely counselling services accessible to those who need them," said Family Services Windsor-Essex Executive Director Joyce Zuk.
About 2,800 people took advantage of the counselling service last year.