= Featured Ambassador
= Testimonial 
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What is the Ambassador Program?
Cam’s Kids Ambassadors are the face of the Foundation in their communities, at school, home and wherever they go. Cam’s Kids Ambassadors help to create awareness of anxiety symptoms and encourage the use of the many resources available on our website promoting healthy options for anxiety management.
Cam’s Kids Ambassadors:
• volunteer at events supporting Cam’s Kids
• speak up in their schools and communities
• distribute posters and ensure appropriate placement
They participate in many other activities to help the Foundation make a positive and healthy impact in their communities.
Cam’s Kids Ambassadors are young people who care about mental wellness, helping others and who are inspired to carry on Cam’s legacy of love, kindness, and compassion. They are instrumental in Cam’s Kids commitment to:
“Supporting Young People Struggling with Anxiety”
Meet our Teams
FEATURED AMBASSADOR
Sep 27
“If you see someone who is agitated, anxious or not talking, think of them as another human being. As much as you need support and need someone to talk to, they may also need that.”
Past Featured Ambassadors
Sep 27
“If you see someone who is agitated, anxious or not talking, think of them as another human being. As much as you need support and need someone to talk to, they may also need that.”
Jul 26
“For me, the first step is letting students know they're in a safe space. I’m here to listen. And then follow that up by letting them know about resources available to them, like the 24/7 text line. Admitting you’re struggling takes a lot of courage but it also showcases your strength.”
Jun 14
“I struggle with mental health, and I do have anxiety and depression. I have my ways of talking to people about it, and I have my support system, but many people don’t. They don’t understand what anxiety is…what signs to look for. Making that awareness available to others, for them to be able to go at their own rate getting help and talking to someone about it, is good.”
May 1
“One of the biggest issues I've ever seen in my experience working in different mental health areas is loneliness. And so, yes, I think these kind of hubs and sorts of communities (like Cam’s Kids) are so important for making sure people feel less alone and, by extension, feel better about their life which, of course, is good for their mental health.”
Mar 28
"Talking about mental health and talking with people was a big thing for me…a big adjustment. I’ve since learned that a big part of it is having conversations with people but, sometimes, those can be quite serious conversations depending on what people want to share or talk about. I now realize how valuable a resource it is for my fellow students; how valuable it is to have support in place for those experiencing anxiety or any type of mental health crisis."
Feb 26
Abby says the real value of Cam’s Kids lies in students being able to confide in other students “who hear them and support them. It’s so hard to get over that hump of trying to access a resource and having to go to an adult. Cam’s Kids (team members) are students of their own age; people who have gone through what they’re going through.”
Oct 27, 2023
Mancini said, “I felt a lot of clarity because I was concerned with what was wrong with me and I had no idea what was going on… and when I found the actual term for it. It was like nothing is wrong, it’s just a little bump.”
Jul 10, 2023
“There are so many kids who need attention right now when it comes to mental health,” says Alyson, who, as the Cam’s Kids Team Lead at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, is on a mission to reverse the debilitating effects of the isolating COVID years.
Apr 11, 2023
As one of six siblings born to Romanian immigrants, Ilona Manda didn’t hear much talk about anxiety and mental health in her Kitchener family home. In fact, the subject wasn’t broached at all – a byproduct of a European culture where “mental health isn’t really a thing.” For Ilona, who struggled with anxiety, out-of-sight-out-of-mind was difficult, but she carried on, resigned to the fact that she had to “deal with it” on her own. She wasn’t, and isn’t, resentful. That was just the way it was.
Feb 21, 2023
What Julianna takes the most pride in, and rightly so, is her team “being able to come together and promote the positive aspects of mental health, and bring awareness to the symptoms of anxiety.” She certainly relates to the stress her fellow students experience, particularly those of the first-year variety.
Sep 26, 2022
A third-year Health Sciences student at McMaster University, the Uxbridge native’s involvement with Cam’s Kids at the Hamilton campus was nothing short of predestined, her having been raised in the same community as the Hicks family and, as such, exposed to the foundation’s work well before she graduated from high school.
Sep 26, 2022
Impressively, Sophia, with co-Team Lead Gillian Beck, has already brought 12 Ambassadors into fold.
“I remember talking to one of my high school teachers I was still close to and saying ‘I feel like this (Cam’s Kids) is a great thing for me because I can start it in first year,” recalls Sophia.
“I could get it off the ground and then I have another three years where I can build it up and I can pass it on and can start a legacy like it (Cam’s Kids) has at so many other schools. There wasn’t any pressure on me to get everything organized in one year.”
Jul 12, 2022
“When you’re involved with Cam’s Kids, the happiness you get is so rewarding,” says Oviya.
And for those students who may be looking to bring Cam’s Kids to their high school, Saniyah has but three words – “Go for it.”
Apr 20, 2022
“[Cam’s Kids] has been the most amazing experience in terms of my personal growth as a leader…it has given me way more than I’ve given it,” says Haley.
“The more we put into it, the more we get out of it,” adds Dale.
Mar 3, 2022
Sanjana Karani came to the Cam’s Kids family in the summer of 2020. “I’ve always been a person who has wanted to create change and help people,” says Sanjana.“I immediately wanted to be part of it [Cam’s Kids]. I was into it completely.”
Jan 17, 2022
Fortunate are those able to pursue their passion of helping others with a group of like-minded people. Her own experience dealing with anxiety never far from her mind, Cam’s Kids Ambassador Julia is part of a very active and committed Trent University team.
Nov 29, 2021
I let anyone seeking help know that I’m available to talk about stuff. That’s the best way to ensure you’re not pushing them too much. I empathize with what they’re going through. Normally I open up about my own experience so they know they’re not alone.
Sep 20, 2021
I strongly believe that getting help with your mental health is just as important as getting help with your physical health. I wish it [Cam’s Kids] had been around sooner but our goal for the next few years is to support as many students as we can.
Jul 5, 2021
I’m so happy and honoured to be part of a team that supports students in so many schools. No matter what gender, age or race you are, Cam’s Kids is there for you, providing free resources that are accessible to anyone and everyone.
May 18, 2021
“Number one, Uxbridge [the Hicks’ family home] is very close to my hometown, and, number two, reducing the stigma around mental health is something I’ve always stood for,” says Tanya of the determining factors in her choice to get involved with Cam's Kids.
Apr 1, 2021
Chey is “really proud” of her Cam’s Kids involvement, a feeling anchored in the founding and nurturing of a much-needed shoulder to lean on for post-secondary students across Canada.
Mar 2, 2021
“My mental health would have been in a worse place if I hadn’t joined Cam’s Kids when I did. Knowing there’s a supportive team that has my back on any given occasion is huge."
Jan 15, 2021
“I love that I can help in little ways, giving others tips and tricks on how they can get through this crazy year of school. I really do want to make a difference. Cam’s Kids has helped me realize how important that is to me."
Nov 3, 2020
“I had to push myself to make friends, to talk to people, which I wasn’t used to doing. In high school I knew everyone. I’m grateful I joined Cam’s Kids in my second year because it got me to open up and join other aspects of university life.”
Sep 25, 2020
"If I had never worked with Cam’s Kids, I might not be so open and aware with regards to mental health and anxiety. It has reduced the stigma in my eyes. Wherever I end up, I intend to bring Cam’s Kids with me and share the resources it provides."
Aug 19, 2020
“Cam’s Kids is a great community to be a part of. There’s a feeling of belonging. I hope other people learn about it. The experience has definitely changed my perspective and given me so much optimism about psychology and mental health.”
Jul 7, 2020
“When I came to Guelph I wasn’t sure I was going to join any clubs. I focus a lot on my schoolwork. I didn’t want to get off track but I thought ‘This is something I can do. I can still focus on myself while helping others too.’”
Apr 28, 2020
Alongside Sarah Mosher, Josh assumed a co-Team Lead role with Cam’s Kids. His motivation to grow the foundation’s presence at Trent anchored in his belief that people’s mental health deserves much more attention than it has been granted.
Mar 25, 2020
Christine's drive promises good things ahead for the Foundation’s already considerable footprint at Carleton. Her ambition lead her to secure one of three team lead positions at Carleton next year.
Feb 15, 2020
A first-year Sociology student at Guelph, the Toronto native stumbled upon Cam’s Kids the way many have and many will – at a university event where various clubs promote themselves and invite membership.
Oct 24, 2019
Now working towards her PhD in Chemistry, Leah sees Cam’s Kids’ role being to provide the same support she was looking for when she first arrived at the University of Ottawa.
Aug 22, 2019
“It’s the best thing I could have ever asked for. When [fellow Ambassador] Hailey [Stroud] said Cam’s Kids was coming here, I was like ‘Yup, I’m diving right in.’ I have ever since and I love it. It [Cam’s Kids] is more like family than a volunteer opportunity and that is why I jumped in with two feet. There was no hesitation. It was so natural and I knew so many people involved."
Jun 28, 2019
Majoring in criminology at Carleton University, Adam, acknowledging “my own history with mental illness and stuff,” says the “state” he was in before happening upon Cam’s Kids “wasn’t too great.”
“Cam’s Kids was everything I was looking for at that moment,” says Adam.
Apr 15, 2019
“I would never have thought that something that started so small, something I could be a part of, would extend as far as it has,” says Chad, noting his Cam’s Kids work has been a point of pride for him since day one.
Feb 26, 2019
“I can always count on her [Olivia] and she can count on me. We’re a team and that lays down a good foundation for other students we work with.” Katie and Olivia are both natives of Uxbridge, Cam Hicks’ hometown and the vibrant beating heart of the Cam’s Kids movement which continues to help young people across Canada deal with anxiety issues.
Jan 10, 2019
I’ve struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember, so I was immediately like ‘Oh.’ I wanted something where I could use my own experiences to reach out to others, so it just seemed liked a perfect fit. I went online and applied to become an Ambassador after I checked out the website. I became an Ambassador, started going to meetings and it went from there.
Nov 22, 2018
As a Cam’s Kids Ambassador, and vice-president of the Cam’s Kids club started at St. Francis Xavier in early 2017, Hillary has been, and is, that “someone” for students dealing with stress-related anxiety. Her efforts speak to the core message at the heart of Cams Kids.
Aug 30, 2018
As a Cam’s Kids Ambassador, Kaley has fully brought in her penchant for “organizing things” serving her well as she plans to stay involved with the foundation at both Algonquin and the University of Ottawa.
May 30, 2018
Like many Cam's Kids Ambassadors, Miranda Sarosi's connection to both the organization and its work comes from deep personal experience. As both a childhood friend of Cam Hicks and his family, and someone who is no stranger to anxiety, becoming an ambassador was an easy choice.
Mar 28, 2018
It was a close friendship and connection to the cause that made joining Cam's Kids an easy choice for Laura Alcorn. Now, nearly two years since joining the organization as one of its first Ambassadors, the University of Guelph student continues to make a difference both on campus and among her peers.
Jan 22, 2018
Taylor Anderson was no stranger to the Cam's Kids organization when she began her studies at Carleton University. In fact, the Health Sciences student had known Cam Hicks personally after going to school together in their mutual hometown of Uxbridge, Ontario.
Oct 12, 2017
It didn't take long for Bronwyn Bridges to click with Cam's Kids. From the moment she heard about the organization's chapter at St. Francis Xavier (StFX) University in Nova Scotia, the sophomore Biology and Psychology student knew she'd found something special.
Jun 29, 2017
After offering Vanessa Morgan the opportunity to serve as national co-ordinator of Cam’s Kids, Linda Hicks advised her “to sleep on it” and let her know the next day if she accepted.
May 16, 2017
Queen's University in Kingston is the centre of Braeden Whitehead’s universe but Uxbridge will always be home – as close to his heart as his friendship with Cam Hicks.
Apr 3, 2017
Haley Roter wants to end the stigma around mental illness. As a Cam's Kids Ambassador, she is working to spread the word that people struggling with anxiety should be encouraged and accepted.
Feb 27, 2017
Kyle Stinson is a familiar name in the Cam's Kids family. As a veteran Cam's Kids Ambassador, the Ottawa University senior has given freely of his time, talent, and enthusiasm to a number of the organization's initiatives, and continues to serve as a mentor to many in the Cam's Kids community.
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