In fall 2020 the RERC provided 5980 reusable water bottles to all 5 school boards in SDC, Cornwall and Akwesasne (CEPEO,  CSDCEO,  CDSBEO,  UCDSB and  AMBE) They were provided to every student from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3. The purpose of this project was 2 fold. The council was looking for a creative way to get mental health resources to youth understanding the additional struggles Covid-19 has added. We also learned that water fountains were no longer available in school and that students had to come to school with their own water bottle. A good reusable bottle can be quite costly and which is why many families turn to disposables as they are an affordable temporary solution. The council then had information about Ridethewave.ca and 211 printed on reusable water bottles as a creative way to provide information to youth across our region.

About Ride the Wave: The Ride the Wave life promotion campaign aims to promote mental health and wellbeing among youth to help them weather the storms that life brings.

About 211: 211 connects people to the right information and services, strengthens Canada’s health and human services, and helps Canadians become more engaged with their communities.