Youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are at the highest risk of substance use disorder

Canada is facing a mental health and addiction crisis. There is an urgent need for prevention and immediate action to help young people struggling with addiction and mental health challenges to get their lives, relationships, and futures back on track.

28,000 children and youth under 18 in Ontario are waiting as long as 2.5 years for mental health treatment.

The student use of non-medical prescription opioids doubled from 12.7%
to 21.8% in just two years from 2021-2023.

Pine River served more than 10,000 people in 2023, and we are on our way to serving even more this year with your support.

Your donation will be doubled up to $50,000 this #GivingTuesday/Giving Season.
Help us reach even more youth in crisis.

From prevention to recovery, tackling teen substance use and concurrent mental health challenges requires a comprehensive approach. At Pine River Institute, we support young people and their families at every stage of their journey, through high-quality, family-centered treatment, research, and education.

Your support will help families who don’t know where to turn. You’ll help youth be admitted to treatment at Pine River, build the capacity of clinicians to help more youth, and provide immediate support to youth who end up in the ER.

Give the gift of hope this #GivingTuesday.

For questions about donating to Pine River Institute, please email giving@pineriverinstitute.com

Why Your Support Matters

Supporting Youth in Algonquin Province

Support a program that works. Pine River’s family-oriented approach to helping youth struggling with addictive behaviours and mental health challenges has a significant success rate.

Accreditation for PRI

Pine River Institute is Accredited with Commendation by Accreditation Canada. “PRI is viewed as a trusted organization and leader, and a strong advocate for creating a more responsive youth addiction treatment system locally, and provincially,” said Accreditation Canada in its report. “The program is fundamentally about saving lives, significantly changing the trajectory of young people.”

People of PRI

While we receive some funding from the Ministry of Health for operations, we rely on charitable donations from individuals, foundations and corporations to enhance our live-in treatment program for youth, to enhance and update our facilities, and to provide outreach and education to families and other therapists through our Centre for Family Initiatives (CFI).

Michael A Tibollo spoken importance of funding

Michael A. Tibollo, the Minister of Addiction and Mental Health, has spoken of the importance of funding programs like Pine River: “...a place like Pine River is critical to the long-term success of any strategy in mental health and addictions. I welcome the investments that are brought forward by individuals (donors) who are giving back to their communities because of the impact that it will have on the long-term wellness of the province of Ontario.

Youth going to PRI

It is an investment in the lives of young people and their families. For every student that enters Pine River:
$100,000 spent on one student returns $7 million to society
$1.5 million is saved in costs to the justice system
$1 million is saved in costs to the healthcare system
$3 million in income will be earned in a student’s lifetime

Read Our Evaluation Report
Learn about how the gains our students makes are sustained and about the successful paths they follow.

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Read Our Annual Report
Learn about program milestones in 2023-2024 Report and celebrate those who donated to Pine River.

Support Youth in Crisis

With a donation today, a monthly gift, a gift of securities or a donation in honour of a loved one, your support will go to work right away to help the youth and families who come to Pine River. Your donation helps from a youth’s first day in the program right through to their transition back home.

Donate
Today

With your support, we can continue to provide youth and family-based therapy on campus and across Ontario and Canada.

Youth of PRI

Become a
Monthly Donor

A monthly gift makes giving manageable and supports a youth struggling with mental health and addictions all year round.

Student learning Arts

Tribute
Gift

Give a gift in the name of someone you love, honouring their life or a milestone while providing hope to families and youth in crisis.

Student learning more in PRI

Our Team

Jill Palmer
Executive Director of Development

Jill has dedicated her career to the charitable sector. For more than 35 years, she has been a leader in marketing communications, advocacy and fund development in charities ranging from the arts, social justice and the environment to independent schools and hospitals. From grassroots giving to capital campaigns, Jill has served with dedication and kindness. She is also an active volunteer.

Jill holds degrees from McGill University and Carleton University and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE). She has two adult sons and has a heartfelt commitment to Pine River, grateful for the outstanding support it has provided her family.

Jill Palmer

Oksana Belyakov, Development Manager

Samra Osman, Development Coordinator

For questions about your donation or giving to Pine River Institute, please email giving@pineriverinstitute.com.

Board of Directors

Pine River Institute and Pine River Foundation operate independently and each is governed by a separate Board of Directors.
Click here to learn more about them.