The RBC Foundation recently donated $25,000 to the PEI Military Family Resource Centre (PEI MFRC) to help support PEI Military and Veteran families facing emergency situations.
“PEI is home to more Military and Veteran families than people may realize,” says Leona Conrick, Executive Director of the PEI Military Family Resource Centre. “We have about 250 active Canadian Armed Forces members here, as well as an estimated 8000 Veterans. These families, like any family, sometimes find themselves in emergency situations, and we’re here to help.”
The PEI Military Family Resource Centre supports the families of Military and Veteran members. Whether that’s offering counselling resources or providing social opportunities for Military children, the PEI MFRC exists to take some of the pressure off for families who already face a lot of disruption in their day-to-day lives, due to a family member’s Military career.
“A lot of what we do is simply being here,” explains Conrick. “There is this perception, sometimes, that unless someone is deployed overseas, the Military lifestyle is stable and pretty much like any other job, and that’s not always true. Military families here face frequent work absences due to regular training exercises that members must attend, and that’s not to mention the stress that families feel simply from the risk factor that every Canadian Armed Forces member takes on the day they enroll. And, of course, our Veteran families need support too, whether that’s transitioning to civilian life or dealing with PTSD and other mental and physical effects that can occur as a result of their Military career.”
When these families find themselves in an emergency situation, the PEI MFRC is one avenue to seek help. During Fiona, for example, the PEI MFRC opened its doors as a warming centre for their families. They’ve also assisted families facing mental health crises, relationship challenges, and occupational stress.
“We’re so grateful to the RBC Foundation for this donation,” says Conrick. “It’ll go a long way to help families who have given so much of their time and energy to the service of others.”
Kaye Kelly, RBC Community Manager of PEI, is happy that RBC can support Island Military families. “At RBC, we are grateful to our Military members for their service, and understand the complex challenges Military families face,” says Kelly. “We’re proud to partner with the PEI MFRC and pleased to provide this donation for enhanced emergency support, to assist more military families with navigating and facing these day-to-day challenges.”
Military and Veteran families on PEI can contact the PEI MFRC if they are in need of assistance. For more information, visit their website (cfmws.com/pei), phone or email them (1.902.892.8999 | info@pei-mfrc.org), or stop by in person at 3 Lower Malpeque Road.
This story was featured in The Guardian on October 2, 2024.
