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Stella's Place Blog

Let’s get moving this summer

A duotone blue photo of a crowd of people exercising in a sports field. Catherine Dyer and Donna Green are in the foreground, in motion. Overlaid on the photo is a heading "let's get moving" in green, purple and orange. Underneath is a subheading "summer vibes at Stella's Place" in white.

Longer days and warmer weather—summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and get moving.

 
 

Exercise has many benefits, not only for your physical health but also your mental health. Did you know just HOW good regular physical activity is for mental health? 

The longer you stick with your exercise schedule and the more often you exercise, the more benefits you’ll see. The Canadian Psychological Association has put together this comprehensive fact sheet.

 
For example, research shows that regular physical activity can help:
 
  • Prevent or ease depression & anxiety
  • Aid in the treatment of mental health disorders
  • Increase self-reported happiness and lower levels of sadness & loneliness
  • Reduce day-to-day stress
  • Reduce the risk of cognitive decline
  • Improve memory, attention, processing speed
  • Boost academic performance
  • Lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
  • Reduce feelings of fatigue
  • Improve sleep quality
  • Reduce cravings
  • Boost self-esteem

 

Thanks to supporters like you, we are able to offer fitness and wellness programs to our participants year-round. Here’s how people like you and us are getting the move on for Stella’s Place this summer:

Run or Walk for the Future of Mental Health

A crowd of people running, taken low to the ground, only showing people from the waist up. In the foreground is a person with shorts on and one foot up, mid-stride.
Stella’s Place is participating in the annual 5k Yorkville Run again and many of us have started training to get ready for the race. This boutique event admits only 1,400 participants and will sell out within the next couple of weeks. So far, 72 people have signed up to run or walk for Stella’s Place and we’d love you to join us.
Last year, 97 runners raised more than $80,000 for Stella’s Place—funds to provide chances, choices and hope for the young people who are coming through our doors in ever increasing numbers. Please check out last year’s video here and help us meet or surpass our goal this year!
 

Join us at the Brickworks!

An aerial shot of the Toronto Brickworks building, taken in the summer with lush greenery surrounding the building. You can see a bit of the city skyline off in the distance.

On August 20, join us at the Evergreen Brick Works at 6 pm for a practice 5k run and inspirational talk with experienced runners Jennifer and David Moore. This event is back by popular demand. We had severe thunderstorm activity just before last year’s practice, which affected turnout, but those who came much enjoyed the opportunity to meet our community and socialize with fellow runners. Please RSVP.

Dudebox & Legends League support 360 Wellness Program

A photo of a large crowd of people taken outside at night with a few buildings in the background and yellow string lights strung from them.
If running is not your thing, have you been to a Dudebox party? Not only the venues but also the fact that all proceeds from these events are donated to charity are unconventional. On Saturday June 15th, DDBX and our awesome neighbour, Legends League, teamed up to throw a massive cookout and dance party that raised $10,000 for our 360 Wellness Program. This program includes fitness and wellness classes offered in partnership with the lululemon athletica Queen West store and supported by trained Stella’s Place Peer Supporters.

Summer Yoga Classes at GoodSpace, Tuesdays at 4pm

A photo of a crowd of people in a yoga class, sitting down on yoga mats with their right arms up over their heads, leaning to the left. In the foreground is a person wearing a bright orange shirt, sitting on a blue mat.

Mark your calendars! Every Tuesday throughout the summer, GoodSpace Toronto is holding 60-min yoga Community Classes, with all proceeds donated to Stella’s Place!

Available every Tuesday at 4pm, instructors of these sessions are on rotation from the Yoga School of the inimitable Shawna Turner. Because doing good for yourself and the greater community is what it’s all about!

 

You may be fit, but are you Crossfit?

A group photo of dozens of people all dressed in workout clothes. The photo was taken outside in a parking lot, with a brick building behind them.

A 3k run, 100 ring pulls, 200 push-ups and 300 squats was all it took! On June 22, folks at CrossFit Solid Ground celebrated their 6th anniversary with a friendly workout and fundraiser for Stella’s Place. Their theme was COMMUNITY: we all have one, we all need one. Communities allow you to grow alongside the people that have similar goals. We can count on our community to give us support and cheer us on when we need it most.

And what a big-hearted, open-minded, supportive community Justin and Caitlin Tamane have built! Within the span of two short hours, this small but mighty community raised $1,545 for Stella’s Place and young adult mental health.

Running hard for the future of mental health

3 different photos placed side by side of 3 different people, each posing for the camera.
On June 15th, Ian and Alison Monaghan participated in the lululemon 10k race in memory of their son Alex, raising $3,000. On May 5th, Anthony Raimondo raised $1,350 running the Toronto Goodlife Marathon to support Stella’s Place. 
 
People like Ian, Alison and Anthony are actively shaping the future of mental health for our young people, taking steps to raise awareness and funds that allow us to offer our programs and services free of charge. Thank you!
Inspired? There’s still lots of summer left to start getting active for Stella’s Place. Join our team at the EXACT Yorkville run or contact us at development@stellasplace.ca if you would like to put on your own fundraiser for Stella’s Place.