ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Stella’s Circle on Tuesday night was named one of the Top 7 groups in the country at the 2019 Champions of Mental Health national gala in Ottawa.
“This was a lovely event in so many ways. This was one of seven awards handed out and it is always nice to be recognized for your work,” Lisa Browne, CEO of Stella’s Circle in St. John’s, said Wednesday morning from the airport in Ottawa.
“I get the pleasure of accepting the award, but all the credit goes to the staff and volunteers who are mental health champions every day.’’
Browne said a host of people and organizations were nominated, with one winner emerging as the best in each of the seven categories.
She said this puts Stella’s Circle on a national stage and through the contacts that she made Tuesday night, she appreciates the value in meeting others.
"...all the credit goes to the staff and volunteers who are mental health champions every day.’’ — Lisa Browne
“It may not be today, but two months down the road, someone is going to get up and say, ‘Hey, I think I need to check out Stella’s Circle.’ You never know where it will lead to,’’ she said.
The gala took place at the National Arts Centre with special guests that included Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. Traci Melchor, a previous Champion of Mental Health Award recipient, mental health advocate and CTV’s e-talk senior correspondent was the MC.
The awards gala included a keynote address by Petitpas Taylor and remarks by Mary Deacon, chair of Bell Let’s Talk.
The Champions of Mental Health Awards are a key component of the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health’s (CAMIMH) annual awareness campaigns and are made possible through the support of sponsor Bell Let’s Talk.
The other thing that resonated with Browne was the large number of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who were in high positions. She mentioned Louise Bradley, president and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada who presented her with the award, Florence Budden, co-chair of the Canadian Alliance of Mental Health, and St. John’s South-Mount Pearl MP Seamus O’Regan.
“The dedication to mental health displayed by the winners this year is outstanding,” said Budden, CAMIMH co-chair.
“All of the winners are inspiring change-makers in their communities.’’
Stella’s Circle in St. John’s has 125 staff and 50 volunteers dedicated to providing services to 1,000 participants annually.
The organization works with people facing barriers from fully participating in the community. These barriers include mental illness, addictions, homelessness, poverty and long periods of unemployment.
The CAMIMH gala celebrated the recipients of the Champions of Mental Health Awards for 2019, and recognized their contributions to mental health across the country.
“We are honoured to have so many special guests pay tribute to the winners this year,” CAMIMH co-chair Chris Summerville said.
“The gala brings together members of the public and private sectors, as well as community mental health advocates to celebrate and recognize the importance of mental health services in Canada. We are all proud to recognize the champions, and to celebrate the ongoing work to improve services and supports for Canadians experiencing mental illness.”
Stella’s Circle’s mission is to transform lives by offering housing, counselling and employment services. Included in these services are an emergency shelter, supportive housing, various residential, institutional and community-based counselling services, and employment services.
The organization also operates a number of social enterprises, including the Hungry Heart Café, Clean Start, a commercial cleaning business, and Home to Stay, a home modifications business. In addition, the Stella’s Circle Inclusion Choir, consisting of participants, staff and volunteers, practices weekly and performs at many events throughout the city.
Browne has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada by Atlantic Business Magazine.
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