A Tribute to Cameron-Lurie Educational Bursary Fund Donors |
Written for Mental Health Matters, A Newsletter of CHMA, December 2007 Issue
When Charlotte Cameron began to serve on the board of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Toronto, she recognized the agency’s role in advocacy for, and education about, mental health issues. To capably meet that role, CMHA Toronto has to be well-administered and adequately funded. Cameron said, “CMHA is like a vehicle that needs good mechanics, fine tuning and plenty of fuel to reach its intended goals.” And so she devoted her time and energy t administration and fundraising.
“You cannot work with CMHA without developing an understanding of mental health needs,” said Cameron. “Mental health goes up and down. But if consumers have a job, they can support themselves and deal with the illness. But to get a job, you need an education and the proper tools to succeed—books, room and board and computers.” Cameron wants to ensure that CMHA Toronto clients have the tools to become successful in their educational endeavours. “Educational success will lead to other successes,” she said.
For that reason, Cameron inaugurated the Cameron-Lurie Educational Bursary at the 50th Anniversary Annual General Meeting. The bursary helps CMHA Toronto clients pursue educational opportunities. “I named it that night out of many satisfying years working with Steve Lurie, the Executive Director of CMHA Toronto.”
Barry Shainbaum knows what it feels like to have struggled with a mental illness. He has lived in a skid row boarding house and remembers waking up every morning wanting to die. But by the grace of God, a lot of hard work (twenty years of psychotherapy) and taking medications when he needed them, Shainbaum now lives free of the illness.
Today Shainbaum is a successful motivational speaker, photographer, author and broadcaster. He openly shares his story to inspire hope in survivors and give them the impetus to get out of bed. Now that Shainbaum is in a position where can move ahead in life, he wants to help others who might be struggling like he did. He donates to CMHA Toronto because “…I’ve been there. I can see myself in their shoes.” And just as he shares his personal story, Shainbaum’s generosity helped inspire the nine Cameron-Lurie Educational Bursary Award winners this year.
This inspiration is eloquently expressed in a speech given by Warren Liberty at our Annual General Meeting:
‘Good evening, ladies and gentleman and honoured guests. My name is Warren Liberty, and I simply want to thank you. Being one of the winners of the Cameron-Lurie Bursary, this is what the Cameron-Lurie Bursary Award says to me… it speaks volumes.
It says, “This way, we’ll help you touch lives. Come, we know where you are. We were there, and now this is the way… Here, this way, dear child. Come. With this generous bursary, I will be able to explore new challenges and be part of the world labouring for Love.
Being deeply rooted myself, there’s no telling how high I will fly. This money will help with the construction of my plan of action. Thank you from the bottom of my educational journey.
It’s humbling to me that you all would have the confidence in me this way, so before I burst, I must tell you that I received 18/20 on my first Psychology test!”‘
We are very grateful to all of our many generous Cameron-Lurie Educational Bursary Fund donors for supporting CMHA Toronto clients to reach for their dreams. Thank you.
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