<h3>Help Us Train Mental Health First Responders From Within Our Community</h3>At Bright Lights For Africa Foundation (BLFA), we empower Black Francophone families in Calgary to not only survive — but thrive. Many face deep challenges: language barriers, cultural isolation, and trauma that often goes untreated.Mental health remains a taboo subject in our communities — yet the need for support is urgent. Through the Empower to Heal initiative, we are raising $5,850 to certify thirteen (13) bilingual (French-English) Black Francophone women in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) through the Mental Health Commission of Canada — one from each of the 13 African Francophone communities represented in Calgary. These women will become trusted mental health responders — not only supporting our programs, but leading healing conversations within their own communities, where cultural understanding and language make all the difference. Why This MattersThis campaign will:<ul><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Break the silence and stigma surrounding mental health</li><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Equip leaders with culturally relevant, trauma-informed tools</li><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Build safe spaces where women and families can seek help and find hope</li><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Expand access to mental wellness support in French</li></ul>What Your Support Will DoWith just $5,850, we can:<ul><li>Cover the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course fees for 13 bilingual women ($3,250)</li><li>Provide encouragement stipends to support their participation and engagement ($2,600)</li><li>Strengthen mental health literacy and culturally relevant support across Calgary’s Black Francophone communities</li></ul>Each trained woman will:<ul><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Recognize signs of distress</li><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Offer trauma-informed, culturally aware support</li><li style="font-family:Tahoma;box-sizing:inherit">Connect individuals to the help they need — in both French and English</li></ul>Mental Health Can’t Wait — and Neither Can WeThis is more than a course — it’s a step toward healing, resilience, and dignity for Calgary’s Black Francophone communities. Make a meaningful impact today — your donation supports community-led healing, and a charitable donation receipt is available upon request. Charitable Registration Number: 71650 4535 RR0001

Hello <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;display:inline-block;margin:0px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name, Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting our Empower to Heal campaign.Your generous donation brings us closer to certifying 13 Black Francophone women in Calgary as Mental Health First Aid responders — trusted leaders who will offer compassionate, culturally rooted support within their own communities.Together, we are breaking stigma, restoring hope, and creating a future where healing begins from within.Want to continue making an impact?<ul><li style="box-sizing:inherit">💬 Share our campaign with your network</li><li style="box-sizing:inherit">🙋‍♀️ Contact us to become a volunteer</li><li style="box-sizing:inherit">📣 Spread the word about our mission</li></ul>Charitable donation receipt available upon request.Charitable Registration Number: 71650 4535 RR0001 With deep gratitude, Jenny Rutayomba Moto<a href="mailto:funding@brightlightsforafrica.ca" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color:initial;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit" target="_blank">funding@brightlightsforafrica.ca</a>

Hello First name,
 
 Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for registering to fundraise for our cause. Your efforts will make a significant impact, and we are excited to have you as part of our fundraising team. 👏
 
 💡 Here are some tips for sharing your campaign:
 <ol>
 <li>Personalize Your Story: Share why this cause is important to you. Personal stories resonate more with potential donors.</li>
 <li>Use Social Media: Post about your campaign on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Include the campaign link and a compelling image or video.</li>
 <li>Email Your Network: Send a personal email to friends, family, and colleagues explaining why you are fundraising and how they can help.</li>
 <li>Regular Updates: Keep your supporters informed with updates on your progress and any milestones you reach. This keeps them engaged and more likely to share your campaign.</li>
 </ol>
 Jenny Rutayomba Moto funding@brightlightsforafrica.ca

Help Us Train Mental Health First Responders From Within Our CommunityAt Bright Lights For Africa Foundation (BLFA), we empower Black Francophone families in Calgary to not only survive — but thrive. Many face deep challenges: language barriers, cultural isolation, and trauma that often goes untreated.Mental health remains a taboo subject in our communities — yet the need for support is urgent. Through the Empower to Heal initiative, we are raising $5,850 to certify thirteen (13) bilingual (French-English) Black Francophone women in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) through the Mental Health Commission of Canada — one from each of the 13 African Francophone communities represented in Calgary. These women will become trusted mental health responders — not only supporting our programs, but leading healing conversations within their own communities, where cultural understanding and language make all the difference. Why This MattersThis campaign will:<ul><li>Break the silence and stigma surrounding mental health</li><li>Equip leaders with culturally relevant, trauma-informed tools</li><li>Build safe spaces where women and families can seek help and find hope</li><li>Expand access to mental wellness support in French</li></ul>What Your Support Will DoWith just $5,850, we can:<ul><li>Cover the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course fees for 13 bilingual women ($3,250)</li><li>Provide encouragement stipends to support their participation and engagement ($2,600)</li><li>Strengthen mental health literacy and culturally relevant support across Calgary’s Black Francophone communities</li></ul>Each trained woman will:<ul><li>Recognize signs of distress</li><li>Offer trauma-informed, culturally aware support</li><li>Connect individuals to the help they need — in both French and English</li></ul>Mental Health Can’t Wait — and Neither Can WeThis is more than a course — it’s a step toward healing, resilience, and dignity for Calgary’s Black Francophone communities. Make a meaningful impact today — your donation supports community-led healing, and a charitable donation receipt is available upon request. Charitable Registration Number: 71650 4535 RR0001

Bright Lights For Africa Foundation

Empower to Heal: Building Mental Health First Aid Capacity in Calgary’s Black Francophone Community

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