By Cecilia Nasmith
Last year, Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf showed his support for Rebound Child and Youth Services Northumberland with a marathon bike ride – not just to raise funds but to provide some awareness of the services they provide.
This year, Play It Again Sports has come on board as a sponsor and the event has expanded. VandeGraaf will repeat his epic ride of 110 km., but this year many others will be joining him May 28 in an event known as Ride For Rebound.
At Cobourg council's committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday, Rebound Executive Director Carol Beauchamp described some of the services her agency provides to more than 1,500 clients each year.
“Families are really strained at this point in time with all they issues they are dealing with,” Beauchamp said.
“Tensions, of course, have been rising within families, and the mental-health issues within the families have increased.
“We engage with about 200 clients every single week. We are a small but mighty organization. We have an integrated-service model with a number of services, not the least of which is our mental-health services.”
Beauchamp noted that 47% of their clients are Cobourg residents, so she is especially pleased with the support of the Cobourg Police Chief, as well as Cobourg Councillor Nicole Beatty, who will also ride.
“Rebound is a great crime-prevention program,” VandeGraaf declared.
“We know there is a direct correlation between self-esteem, literacy and crime rate.”
Along with their support, council declared May 28 Ride For Rebound Day in Cobourg.
