On Nov. 1, Canadian Mental Health Association South Cariboo Branch (CMHA-SCB) and the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) announced that both organizations been accredited under Imagine Canada’s national Standards Program.
With this achievement, the CMHA-SCB and CFEC join a growing community of more than 200 organizations dedicated to operational excellence.
The Standards Program is a Canada-wide set of shared standards for charities and non-profits designed to strengthen practices in five fundamental areas: board governance; financial accountability and transparency; fundraising; staff management; and volunteer involvement.
"Receiving accreditation is an appointment of trust and accountability the CMHA-SCB is grateful to receive. It is an acknowledgment of our dedication to service and strengthens our ability for potential development and innovation for the community," says Allie Blades, CMHA-SCB board vice-chair.
“It’s no small feat for an organization to earn Standards Program accreditation,” says Bruce MacDonald, president and CEO of Imagine Canada.
“It’s a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that is meant to build public trust and confidence in the charitable sector. These organizations take accountability and operational transparency very seriously. We’re glad to have both of these organizations on board.”
Investment in donor trust
The goals of Imagine Canada’s Standards Program are to increase the transparency of charities and non-profits, and to strengthen public confidence in individual organizations and the sector as a whole. "Trust is the foundation for what matters to us, our clients and those who support us," MacDonald says, adding accredited organizations invest in what matters: trust.
Transparent, peer-review process
The policies and procedures in the five areas of compliance were evaluated by a group of volunteers from the sector, and were found to be compliant with the Standards Program.
“Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre board and staff are proud that we now join 200 organizations across Canada, in being recognized by Imagine Canada as providing the highest possible quality of service to our residents. The board of directors particularly extend thanks, and all credit due, to the front-line staff for their superb efforts, and the care for the community that they provide unfailingly each day,” Rita Giesbrecht, CFEC board chair.
CMHA news
Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians.
As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. CMHA’s vision is “Mentally Healthy People in a Healthy Society.”
The CMHA-SCB has been in 100 Mile House since 1989. It provides a variety of services, including SIL Outreach, a Clubhouse program, Homeless Outreach, Soupe de Tour, and supports for clients with an acquired brain injury. CMHA-SCB as owns and operates Cariboo Trail Terrace, a subsidized housing complex.
The CFEC has provided a continuum of community and social services over the past 28 years, including Pregnancy Outreach, Family Support, Counselling and Youth Outreach. The CFEC also operates the Youth Zone and the Early Care and Learning Centre.