Memramcook – August 28, 2025 – A new parenting education program was launched Monday at the South-East Social Pediatrics Centre (CPSSE). This free program is designed for families of children with special needs and aims to improve the mental health of young people in rural areas. The program was possible thanks to a generous $100,000 contribution from Grocery Foundation Atlantic (GFA) and the CHU Dumont Foundation.
Led by the CPSSE, this innovative program offers free, in-person courses that focus on respectful communication, mental health literacy, and trauma-informed parenting practices.
According to Line Rioux, Coordinator of the Centre, youth mental health challenges are growing at an alarming rate—particularly among children facing developmental, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. “Families across rural Southeastern New Brunswick often struggle to access the support and resources needed to address these issues, leaving many parents feeling overwhelmed and isolated,” added Mrs. Rioux.
Designed specifically for families with school-aged children—including those with neurodevelopmental conditions—the initiative fills a critical gap in community-based care by equipping parents to support their children’s emotional and psychological well-being.
“Grocery Foundation Atlantic is proud to continue to support the tremendous work the CHU Dumont Foundation is doing for children and families in New Brunswick, said Laken Pitts, Director of Pricing Strategy at Sobeys. We are thrilled to host the 26th annual Grocery Gala in October 2025. Each year the grocery community and friends come together to raise funds that in turn support children and youth in our Atlantic provinces,” Mrs Pitts added.
“The Vitalité Health Network is grateful for GFA’s donation to support CPSSE’s activities and is confident that this contribution will have a positive impact on the community in the Southeast,” said Sébastien Lagacé, Assistant vice-president, Addiction and Mental Health at Vitalité.
“The CHU Dumont Foundation sincerely thanks GFA for this donation and is extremely grateful for its continued partnership, whose generosity is helping transform the lives of vulnerable families and build healthier, more resilient communities in New Brunswick,” said Gilles Allain, CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation. “Our Foundation is proud to support the launch of this new parenting education initiative that directly responds to this urgent need.”
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For more information or interviews: Johanne Lise Landry, Director of communications, johannelise.landry2@fondationdumont.ca or 506 543-5911