Wounded Warriors Canada Donates $55,000 to The Tema Conter Memorial Trust
February 27, 2016
For Immediate Release
TORONTO – Wounded Warriors Canada is proud to announce their continued partnership with The Tema Conter Memorial Trust. In 2015, Wounded Warriors Canada donated $50,000 to create the Wounded Warriors Canada Peer Support and Family Assistance Fund through the Trust. Over the last year this Fund has provided immediate crisis intervention while acting as a referral agent to link the ill and injured Veteran or First Responder to the appropriate mental health professional in their area.
In 1988, former paramedic Vince Savoia attended to the homicide of Ms. Tema Conter. This event not only changed his life, but it also changed the lives of the Conter family. The Tema Conter Memorial Trust began in 2001 as a modest charity offering scholarships to paramedic students. Today, it has grown to become a hub for research, education and training, as well as a peer and psychological support resource for the men and women serving in Canada’s public safety organizations and our Canadian Armed Forces.
“We understand that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder deeply affects the lives of our Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, First Responders, and their families,” said Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of Wounded Warriors Canada. “We are proud to continue our funding of this great program and are pleased that Wounded Warriors Canada is now positioned, through our program delivery, to fund mental health services that pairs support to both serving and retired Canadian Armed Forces members and First Responders.”
Vince Savoia, Executive Director of The Tema Conter Memorial Trust, commented, “Year to date, 10 first responders and 2 military members have died by suicide. Since April 2014, 76 first responders and 33 military personnel have died by suicide. It is heavily disheartening that these numbers continue to rise. We are so grateful for the support and passion that Wounded Warriors Canada is bringing to our mission, and we feel more equipped than ever to make positive change for those who spend their lives helping others.”