The Kelty Foundation

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The Kelty Foundation

We are a non-profit foundation started in memory of Kelty Patrick Dennehy. The foundation was established in 2001 by Kerry and Ginny Dennehy.

Our goal is the prevention of depression related suicide in young people and to remove the negative stigma attached to mental health. After the loss of their son Kelty, the Dennehy's created this foundation not only to honour Kelty's life but to fund causes aimed at preventing depression-related suicide in other youth. To date, the Kelty Patrick Dennehy foundation has raised over $4 million dollar

s to fund causes related to youth mental health and suicide. Most noteably, the Mental Health Building at BC Children's Hospital, support for the establishment of a Chair in Depression Research at the UBC/VGH Centre of Excellence for Depression Research, and the The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/keltyfoundation

04/21/2026

Partner Highlight: Stigma-Free Mental Health Society

We’re proud to share resources from our partners at Stigma-Free Mental Health, who continue to create meaningful conversations around youth mental health.

Through their Stigma-Free Voices Podcast, they recently hosted two powerful discussions for families and educators:

1. Grief, Growth, and the Human Side of Mental Health with Jeffrey Johnston.An honest conversation about loss, addiction, and breaking stigma, alongside innovative tools to support mental wellness.

2. Beyond the Label: Real Stories About BPD, Teens, and Hope with Melanie Goldman. Compassionate insights into borderline personality disorder, offering guidance and understanding for parents, caregivers, and school communities.

These conversations help reduce stigma and create space for deeper understanding, connection, and hope.

Listen on Youtube or Spotify through Stigma-Free Mental Health’s channels.

https://www.youtube.com/
https://open.spotify.com/show/78NZGxeSx2czqMV7VdvXhA?si=292bfa0f42e24cbb&nd=1&dlsi=934aa4ceecbf4199

04/18/2026

We’ve reached over 18,000 families since launching the Kind Mind Program in January 2025.

As we continue to grow, we’re looking ahead to Year 3 and expanding our reach to even more school communities.

If you’re interested in bringing the Kind Mind Program to your school, we’d love to add you to our waitlist for the 26-27 school year! Please email contact@thekeltyfoundation.org to get started. When reaching out, include your school principal and/or counsellor so we can follow up with next steps.

Together, we can continue building strong, supported school communities.
https://www.thekeltyfoundation.org/schooltour

04/14/2026

Upstream mental health support is not just important, it’s essential.

As Keir McDonald, CEO of Coast Mental Health, highlights, the real cost comes when we wait until crisis to act. Investing early in community-based mental health care helps improve lives while reducing long-term strain on families and systems.

At The Kelty Foundation, this is at the core of our work. Through programs like Kind Mind, we focus on prevention, early intervention, and accessible resources that support children and families before challenges become crises.

Learn more about our work and how you can support early mental health care at https://www.thekeltyfoundation.org/

04/11/2026

Meet Julie Jones!

Julie has over 18 years of experience as a mortgage professional, supported by a BA from Queen’s University and an MBA. Her professional career has focused on finance and small business development. Her expertise in business development and operations management adds depth to the Kelty Foundation, where she is enthusiastic about contributing to its continued growth.

She has a longstanding commitment to community involvement, with extensive experience in volunteering and fundraising for both an independent school and non-profit sports organizations. As a board member of a Vancouver independent school, she played a key role in elevating fundraising efforts and outcomes.

Outside of her professional and community work, Julie is a devoted mother of three boys. She is an avid skier and road cyclist, and a passionate cook who enjoys exploring new culinary experiences.

04/08/2026

Today is World Health Day. This year’s theme, “Together for Health. Stand by Science.”, reminds us of the importance of evidence-informed care.

When it comes to mental health, research continues to show that early support, strong relationships, and open conversations play a critical role in helping children and youth build resilience.

At The Kelty Foundation, we are committed to supporting programs and partnerships grounded in both science and real-world impact, ensuring young people and families have access to trusted mental health support.

04/04/2026

Planning for the future can also be an opportunity to create lasting impact.

Including a charitable gift in your will, often called a bequest, is a meaningful way to support causes you care about while also offering potential benefits to your estate. It allows you to make a lasting contribution, take advantage of tax benefits, and align your legacy with your values, all without impacting your finances today.

Gifts like these help ensure programs that support children, youth, and families can continue to grow and reach those who need them most.

To learn more about leaving a gift in your will and supporting The Kelty Foundation, please email Sarah Player at sarah@thekeltyfoundation.org

04/02/2026

Hearing from educators is one of the most meaningful parts of the Kind Mind Program.

A teacher recently shared how students felt safe opening up about their experiences with nervousness and where they feel it in their bodies. Creating space for these conversations helps build connection, self-awareness, and empathy inside and outside the classroom.

Moments like these reflect the power of early mental health education and the importance of creating environments where students feel seen, heard, and supported.

To learn more about the Kind Mind Program, please visit: https://www.thekeltyfoundation.org/schooltour

03/30/2026

On March 1st, we had the pleasure of gathering at the Arbutus Club for an inspiring morning to celebrate kindness and mental health. We are incredibly grateful to the Arbutus Club for hosting such a beautiful and welcoming event for families.

A special thank you to Rock’N’Beau for putting on an incredible show, Soshemo for sharing SEL resources, Rhonda Dent for sharing her book co-written with her daughter, Poppy, and illustrated by Gilang Setyawibawa, and to Viva Photobooth for creating a red-carpet experience that attendees won’t soon forget.

When community partners come together with care and intention, meaningful impact happens — and we are so thankful to have been part of such a special morning.

Events like this remind us that when community comes together with care and intention, real impact is possible.

Thank you for being part of this important work. To learn more about Kind Mind Festivals, please visit our website at www.thekeltyfoundation.org/kind-mind-festivals

03/27/2026

We’re proud to partner with Starworks Packaging & Assembly Developmental Disabilities Association, a social enterprise that provides meaningful employment for individuals with developmental disabilities right here in Vancouver. Starworks operates as a sustainable business and redirects profits back into creating accessible work opportunities for people who face barriers to employment, including developmental and mental health challenges.

Through this collaboration, Starworks helps us package our Kind Mind kits that are distributed to schools across the region. Every kit represents connection, support, and intentional resources for students. Our partnership ensures that work is being done in a way that also supports community inclusion and purpose-driven employment.

Together, we’re strengthening mental health supports while building opportunity and dignity for workers in our communities.

03/23/2026

Peer support can make all the difference.

The Canadian Mental Health Association – North and West Vancouver offers peer support services where people with lived experience provide understanding, encouragement, and connection to others navigating their own mental health journey. Peer support helps reduce isolation, builds community, and strengthens resilience through shared experience.

If you or someone you care about could benefit from peer-led support in the North and West Vancouver area, explore this resource to learn more about what’s available and how to get connected.

https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/programs-and-services/peer-support/

03/20/2026

Through our Kind Mind Program, we are proud to highlight the impactful work of Stigma-Free Mental Health Society. Their student presentations and school-based clubs help create safe spaces where young people can talk openly about mental health, challenge stigma, and build supportive peer communities.

By equipping students with knowledge, language, and confidence, Stigma-Free Mental Health Society empowers youth to lead meaningful conversations and foster cultures of understanding within their schools.
Partnerships like this strengthen our shared mission: ensuring young people feel seen, supported, and connected.

Learn more about Stigma-Free Mental Health Society at https://stigmafreementalhealth.com/.

03/16/2026

Spring Break can be a time to recharge — but it can also bring changes in routine and big feelings.

Here are a few simple ways you can support well-being this week: keep a gentle routine, make space for creativity, get outside when you can, and build in small daily check-ins.

Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. Small, intentional moments make a meaningful difference.

Wishing everyone a safe and restorative Spring Break!

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