The Cause

Too many young people are struggling

As many as 1.25 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental health conditions, yet only about 3 in 5 receive the support they need. Many young people hesitate to speak up, with stigma often being the biggest barrier. On top of that, navigating the mental health system can be overwhelming, with hundreds of treatment providers, centers, and programs across Ontario.

Your support at RBC Race for the Kids helps improve access to mental health care for youth at Sunnybrook and ensures more young people get the help they need to thrive.

Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project (FNP) is a free service that pairs youth aged 11 to 29 who have mental health and/or addictions challenges, and their families, with clinically trained navigators who connect them with the services they urgently need. FNP serves families in the Greater Toronto Area and some communities in Ontario.

About the Family Navigation Project

Since 2013, Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project, part of the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, has been helping youth and their families access the right mental health and related services.

The team works with young people aged 11 to 29 and their families, guiding them through the mental health system to connect with trusted assessments, treatments, and supports when they are needed most.

Beyond mental health and addiction services, FNP builds a broader network of support for youth, collaborating with housing programs, shelters, employment services, advocacy groups, peer networks, and newcomer services. By forging these partnerships, the team is helping create a more complete system of care that meets the diverse needs of young people.

Learn more

Funded entirely by donations

Your support of RBC Race for the Kids makes a real difference. Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project (FNP) is Canada’s first-of-its-kind and largest program helping youth and their families navigate mental health and addiction challenges—and it thrives because of generous supporters like you.

Thanks to fundraising efforts like yours, FNP has helped over 6,000 youth and more than 5,000 families access the care and support they need to thrive.

By joining RBC Race for the Kids, you’re not just collecting donations—you’re joining a community dedicated to empowering youth to reach their full potential.

Jonathan’s Story

When Jonathan first participated in the RBC Race for the Kids in 2013, he had no idea how much it would impact his life. The race introduced him to Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project (FNP), which provided essential support for Jonathan and his family as they navigated his mental health and addiction challenges.

In his first year at university, Jonathan’s mom turned to FNP for help in finding resources for his ADHD, anxiety, and depression. “When I was diagnosed, the biggest realization was that this was what life was supposed to feel like—a very calming sensation,” he says. This diagnosis and medication gave Jonathan the clarity he needed, marking a life-changing moment.

A few years later, after admitting to his addiction, Jonathan’s mom reached out to FNP again to help him find a rehabilitation program. After completing a nine-week inpatient program, Jonathan credits FNP for helping him find the right program and turning his life around. “I’ve learned so much about myself, and I’m now nearly 20 months sober,” he shares.

This journey ignited Jonathan’s passion for mental health advocacy, particularly for high school students. He believes there’s immense value in hearing from those with lived experience, especially peers.

When Jonathan’s mom shared FNP’s call for Youth Advisory Council (YAC) members, he knew he wanted to get involved.

Nearly a decade after his first race, Jonathan finds this year’s race even more meaningful due to the life-changing support FNP has given him.

By signing up for RBC Race for the Kids on September 19, 2026, you can help youth like Jonathan find a brighter future.

Register Now