Celebrating Resilience: Shine Bright Awards at CAMH

On April 30th, FACT’s Downtown East Clinic, Downtown West Clinic, and Downtown Central Clinic hosted their annual awards ceremony – an Oscar-style presentation recognizing outstanding client achievements and personal milestones in education, creativity, and resilience reached over the past year. 

Hundreds of staff, volunteers, clients, and families gathered in the Arrell Family Foundation Auditorium to celebrate resilience and recognize accomplishments.

Co-hosted by recreational therapists Jorge Cantor, Downtown East FACT; Phillip Ruicci, Downtown West FACT; Liam McCarthy, Downtown Central FACT; and Bridget, a gregarious client, the event featured thoughtful programming, including speeches, client and staff performances, and an uplifting awards ceremony. 

Introducing the Master of Ceremonies  

Flexible Assertive Community Treatment, or FACT, is a multidisciplinary, recovery-oriented program that provides flexible care, meeting clients where they’re at and offering tailored treatment adjusted to individual needs.   

The Shine Bright Awards recognize clients who have accomplished significant personal goals, including academic progress, creative projects, and notable displays of resilience in their recovery journeys.   

Co-host Liam McCarthy explained why the awards are so meaningful for patients, families, and staff. 

“It's important to recognize our clients' achievements and successes over the past year. Everybody has their own different road to figure out who they want to be and where they want to be in life,” Liam said.   

Recognizing his co-host and FACT client, Bridget, Liam explained how she has gotten more involved in the clinic by supporting the rec therapists with planned activities.   

“When we do groups, she likes to help if we need something. She always finds new ways to interact with the community,” Liam added.

Her experience with the Downtown Central FACT team has empowered Bridget.

“It feels like I have a community. I have a home with people who know about my condition. I don't have to hide it. I'm really grateful for the programs that they carry here because it's really broadened my mental health and wellness,” Bridget shared.    

Creative Showcase and Reflections by the Artists

The event kicked off with a duet of Michael Bolton’s Go the Distance, performed by two clients who have both received care in the FACT program. 

“[The event] made me reflect on my journey before CAMH and how much these Awards mean to people who've faced adversity,” one client shared.  

“The staff were genuine and understanding. Seeing one become emotional showed how much they care,” she added. 

The other client pointed out that CAMH provides a positive environment for personal perseverance. The awards give clients an opportunity to celebrate their journeys and inspire others.   

“It was great to recognize the award winners and show how others can achieve similar milestones,” she explained. 

Next on the program: a rock band composed of clients and staff from the Downtown East and Downtown Central Music Group turned the energy in the room up several notches.  

The energetic performance of their original song Shut the Lights Off had staff and clients rolling with laughter in their seats.  

Closing out the performances, Affrica “Dess” Spence took to the stage to perform a personal spoken word poetry piece.  

Affrica’s poetry project Voetry – which uniquely blends spoken word poetry with captured imagery – is currently being shown at film festivals. Read more about her creative journey and FACT experience in this Faces of CAMH article.  

Awards Ceremony: Recognizing Outstanding Accomplishments by FACT Clients 

After the performances, case workers from the FACT Clinics took to the stage to recognize the clients receiving awards. 

The award categories included:  

• Road to Recovery Award: Recognizing an individual’s resilience, personal growth, and determination to overcome challenges while inspiring others through their journey of healing and empowerment.
  • Vocational Achievement Award: Honouring an individual for exceptional perseverance, dedication, and adaptability in pursuing career goals, recognizing their positive workplace impact, commitment to personal development, and ability to inspire others despite challenges.
  • The Education Achievement Award: Celebrating an individual’s commitment to learning and personal growth, recognizing their resilience and determination to achieve academic success while inspiring others to embrace the transformative power of education.
  • The Spiritual Wellness Award: Honouring an individual’s journey toward inner peace and personal fulfilment, recognizing their dedication to spiritual growth and reflection while inspiring others to pursue their own spiritual journeys, promoting a sense of healing, hope, and resilience.
  • The Peer Support Award: Celebrating an individual’s commitment to uplifting and empowering others through shared experiences, recognizing their compassionate spirit, active listening, and support in inspiring hope and resilience within their community.
  • The Healthy Living Award: Recognizing an individual’s commitment to a balanced and vibrant lifestyle, highlighting their dedication to physical, emotional, and mental well-being through positive choices, community engagement, and mindful daily routines.
  • The Creativity Award: Recognizing an individual’s creative talent for using artistic expression to explore personal experiences and inspire others, fostering connection, community, and personal growth through imagination and self-expression.
  • The Resiliency Award: Honouring an individual’s extraordinary strength and perseverance in overcoming challenges, recognizing their resilience, personal growth, and ability to inspire hope and courage in others. 

How Anand’s Drive Led to Recognition with the Educational Achievement Award 

Anand, a Downtown Central FACT Clinic client shared what the Educational Achievement award meant to him. 

“I think, in my educational journey, you know, it was very tough once I started having the illness. I got sick in 2018, and there were times when I couldn't even sit in a lecture throughout the time because I couldn't concentrate,” Anand said. 

“And then after the medication, coming to the doctors and all the support, I was able to concentrate in class and finish my education. So, I think, today, for me, it was more about me coming to thank the team,” he said, glowing with appreciation.  

Anand is now on the cusp of earning his university degree. 

Eda Bacarro, a social worker with the Downtown Central FACT team and Anand’s case worker, admires the drive and positivity she’s seen in him over the past two years.   

“He had a lot of ups and downs. But if you've ever spoken with them, he is the most positive person you'll ever meet. He's the most driven person. Like, even when he's unwell, he's talking about doing school, how he wants to get back to it,” Eda reflected. “He has his goals. He knows how he wants to get there and what he wants to do. It has really been a privilege to work with him to get him to that point.” 

FACT Community Redefines What’s Possible 

As the awards drew to a close, the sense of hope and belonging in the room was unmistakable. Each story shared, and every achievement recognized stood as a testament to the resiliency of the group and the power of the FACT community at CAMH. With support and encouragement from FACT staff and their peers, CAMH patients continue to redefine what’s possible in their journeys.  

We look forward to next year’s Shine Bright Awards!