From basketball to ball hockey, our BMO volunteers are transforming a day of volunteering into community interactions with lasting impact, setting a positive example of how businesses can actively support mental health and foster healthier communities.
For 18 years, CAMH’s corporate volunteer program has supported patient wellness by creating meaningful connections with employees from the public and private sectors. This initiative provides patients with opportunities to showcase their talents, build confidence, and engage with community members. Volunteers can work directly with patients in various activities, such as intramural sports, gardening, music sessions, and baking. Volunteers often report feeling uplifted and re-energized after these interactions, while patients benefit from a sense of community and the chance to express themselves creatively with others.
Among our many corporate partners, BMO stands out as a beacon of heart and humanity. For nearly 15 years, BMO staff have participated in CAMH’s corporate volunteer program, driven by genuine care for CAMH patients and a desire to support their recoveries.
“Volunteering at CAMH has been a unique privilege for me and my colleagues, allowing us to meaningfully support clients on their recovery journey,” explains Bryan a BMO volunteer. “The positive reinforcement delivered through sport, along with the genuine social connections, creates a powerful and rewarding experience for everyone.”
What began in June 2012 as a simple soccer challenge has grown into one of CAMH’s most enduring and meaningful corporate partnerships, sparking a tradition of connection, joy, and shared purpose. Since then, BMO’s supported various sports and team-building activities.
In the Drug Treatment Court Hockey League, or DTCHL, patients are seen not for their struggles, but for their strengths. BMO volunteers help make that possible. Their encouragement, laughter, and genuine camaraderie during the Friday morning ball hockey games with patients who have struggled with addiction creates environments where clients feel capable, valued, and seen – experiences that can shift the course of a person’s recovery.
For patients who have been in contact with the justice system, the Forensic program's weekly basketball game gives them a safe space for connection and community support. And during regular basketball games, young patients in the Crisis and Critical Care Units rediscover confidence, teamwork, and the delight of play.
Patients and staff look forward to our intramural sports events, largely because of the atmosphere cultivated by our BMO volunteers, who introduce themselves as patient and kind mentors and establish a presence that signals inclusivity and acceptance.
"The BMO Volunteers are exceptional supporters of the CAMH Corporate Volunteer Program, helping clients through the power of sport," says Jim Davey, CAMH Corporate Volunteer Program. "Their consistent commitment, compassion, and dedication – rain or shine – have fostered moments of connection, confidence, and joy for the individuals we serve as they work diligently on their recovery journey. Thank you, BMO, for everything you do; you are truly making a difference."
Thank you, BMO, for your unwavering partnership, your generosity of spirit, and your belief in the power of people supporting people. Your commitment continues to change lives, year after year.
