Calgary, February 28, 2013 – RBC today announced a $250,000 donation to the Calgary-based Child Advocacy Centre (CAC) from the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project. This funding will support CAC in creating a Centre of Excellence in the area of child abuse. The long term effects of childhood abuse can cause a range of mental health issues from depression and anxiety to developmental delays. Children who are or were abused are also at a much greater risk of learning to cope by developing significant emotional and adjustment problems.
With a focus on best practices, research, community awareness, training and education, CAC is a new non-profit society started by five partners: Calgary Police Services, Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority, Alberta Justice Calgary Crown Prosecutors Office, Alberta Health Services and the Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse.
“One-in-five Canadians will experience mental illness during their lifetime, with many of these disorders beginning in childhood or adolescence,” said Bruce MacKenzie, regional president, Alberta & the Territories. “We are proud to support the work of the Child Advocacy Centre. By providing parents, children and health care professionals with access to a network of trusted sources, we can assist with early intervention, increase public awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness.”
Launched in 2008, the RBC Children’s Mental Health Project is a multi-year philanthropic commitment to support early intervention and public education programs in Canada. Including today’s announcement, RBC has now committed more than $16 million to community-based and hospital programs that are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Canadian children.
About RBC’s Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world’s financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012 – 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada’s Greenest Employers, one of Canada’s 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.
RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships.
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Jo-Ann Fraser, Senior Manager, Communications,
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