Keystone Celebrates Five Decades Supporting Mental Health In Grey-Bruce
Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services marked 50 years of supporting children, youth, and families in Grey-Bruce with a community celebration at Grey Roots Museum.
Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services marked its 50th anniversary this week with a community gathering at Grey Roots Museum and Archives, celebrating five decades of supporting children, youth, and families across Grey and Bruce counties.
The celebration took place on Monday, September 29, and brought together staff, volunteers, community partners, and local dignitaries. The evening included a keynote address from Elizabeth Manley, the Canadian Olympic figure skating medalist and mental health advocate.
David Willis, Keystone’s president and CEO, said the milestone reflected both the organization’s growth and the resilience of the families it serves. “For over 50 years, Keystone has been supporting youth mental health and wellness with compassion, integrity, and excellence,” Willis said in prepared remarks.
Founded in the early 1970s as Bruce Grey Children’s Services, Keystone has expanded over the years, moving into larger offices and treatment spaces as demand for services has grown.
The agency adopted its current name in 2006 and was designated in 2015 as one of Ontario’s lead agencies for child and youth mental health. Today, Keystone delivers a wide range of programs, including counselling, early intervention, live-in treatment, and educational workshops.
This year, the organization also celebrated the opening of a new 13-bed live-in treatment centre in Owen Sound. The facility, supported by the Ministry of Health and Brightshores Health Services, offers 24/7 structured therapeutic care, including day treatment schooling, for youth aged 12 to 17 experiencing severe and persistent mental health challenges.
Keystone continues to serve as the lead agency for child and youth mental health in Grey and Bruce counties, while also acting as a fund holder for Ontario’s network of 31 lead agencies.
The anniversary event was both a celebration of past accomplishments and a reminder of the work still ahead, as Keystone continues adapting to the evolving needs of children, young people, and their families.