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East Coast Shindig will support mental health programs for youth, residents at large

August 20, 2026   ·   0 Comments

An authentic “East Coast Shindig” will descend on Aurora next month to support local mental health programs, particularly increasing resources for youth.

Harbour of Hope is the fourth-annual community fundraiser hosted by the Salvation Army’s Northridge Community Church benefiting their in-house mental health supports.

It will take place at Northridge, located at 15338 Leslie Street, just north of Wellington Street, on Thursday, September 17, from 7 – 10 p.m., and feature live music from The Flailing Shilaleighs band, great food inspired by the Maritimes, silent and live auctions, and an array of alcohol-free potables courtesy of the Aurora-based On The Wagon Mocktails.

“Last year was our Newfoundland Kitchen Party, so I decided I better cover off the other Maritime provinces,” says Angela Covert, Community Services Manager at Salvation Army Northridge, with a laugh, noting that last year’s event raised $25,000 for the cause.

Money raised at this year’s Harbour of Hope event will help Salvation Army Northridge bring on further supports dedicated to youth mental health, complementing programs already offered by Vicki Nishihama, their full-time psychotherapist.

“Our costs are really for our mental health services to provide free counselling,” says Covert. “We really want to focus on youth mental health and anything we can bring into our coffers to help [offset the cost] and hire someone – our real goal is to hire someone to come in here as a youth-specific worker.”

It’s all hands-on deck in the lead-up to September 17 to make sure the event is all it can be.

Community sponsorship has gone a long way so far, and Salvation Army Northridge Pastor Fred Reid, who has deep community roots in Newfoundland and Labrador, has been working behind the scenes to source freshly caught – and freshly frozen – Newfoundland cod to bring authenticity to the fare being offered.

Some of this cod will be used for freshly-fried fish cakes which Covert says will demonstrate another success story that has come out of Northridge: a participant of Northridge’s Empowered Moms support program will be lending her culinary talents to the cause.

“She is an amazing cook and has done a few of our meals for our events,” says Covert. “She’s going to do the fish cakes, the potato salad, and some of the themed food for us. It’s supporting her, and she’s very excited about it.”

The Empowered Moms program is an initiative particularly close to Covert’s heart as she received support from the Salvation Army as a single mother herself.

“I had been a single mom for 14 years, capable and fortunate to have real support, family and friend support, church support, but so many of these young women don’t have that at all,” she says, adding the initiative provides real support and care for women struggling to make ends meet. “Empowered Moms is for single mothers and children and we offer dinner and programming for the kids. There are workshops for the moms on topics of interest to moms in general, but for single mothers around budgeting, dating, parenting, self-care, confidence, etc. It’s been really neat to have that group now in its second year.”

Tickets for Harbour of Hope are $50 per person and every ticket sale can have a ripple effect throughout the Aurora and Newmarket communities.

“I went out with a friend for breakfast last weekend and my simple avocado toast and coffee came to, with taxes and tip, $30. I had a great time with my friend, value was there, but for $50 you can come and have food, dance, enjoy music, fun, and the whole nine yards, and it’s making some impact.”

For more on this year’s Harbour of Hope East Coast Shindig, including tickets, call 905-895-6276, Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Together, we can create hope, build connection, and make a difference,” says Covert.

By Brock Weir
Editor
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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