Funding shortage threatens children’s mental health program
Posted Oct 29, 2025 11:56:33 AM.
Last Updated Oct 29, 2025 11:57:34 AM.
A local provider of mental health supports for children is putting a callout to the community for donations.
Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services is warning that it will have to make cuts to its Taming the Dragon program because of a funding shortfall.
An organization that had been providing funding for the program decided not to open up grants this year. That has left Porchlight $70,000 short, and it needs some help to keep the program running.
Porchlight, Executive Director, Cameron Dearlove was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and spoke about what Taming the Dragon is all about.
“We help kids be able to recognize and name their emotions. Talk about healthy ways to deal with them. And then, who do you talk to if you need support or if one of your friends in your class is struggling a little bit, what does that look like, and how do you support them?”
According to Porchlight, over 2,700 children have benefited from Taming the Dragon in 52 schools across the region, and 100 per cent of teachers recommend it.
And, that’s just the last two years.
Dearlove says without proper funding, they will have to make program cuts, which likely means they won’t be in as many schools in the coming years.
Donations can be made through the Porchlight website.
