Thumbs Up Foundation
Thumbs Up Foundation is passionate about eliminating silos and breaking down barriers. Our vision is simple but powerful: a world where physical and mental wellness are balanced. Where access to mental, physical and emotional care is timely and in harmony, and where each person is treated as an individual. Where hope isn’t just a word but a reality.
Their Approach
As Desmond Tutu says, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”
Good brain health is essential for everyone’s well-being. You are your brain.
At Thumbs Up, these key philosophies form the core of everything we do:
"Resilience is not what happens to you. It is how you react to, respond to, and recover from what happens to you."
-Jeffrey Gitomer
Why Thumbs Up?
At Thumbs Up, we understand because we’ve lived it. Our son Braden couldn’t find the right resources in time to help him when he needed it most. We’ve lived with the devastation of his death every day since his suicide in 2015.
Thumbs Up Foundation is passionate about eliminating silos and breaking down barriers. We’re listeners of stories, builders of trust, connectors of care, and advocates for change. We’ve walked alongside hundreds of individuals and families, connecting and coordinating a diverse array of community services aligned to people’s specific needs.
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Our vision is simple but powerful: a world where physical and mental wellness are balanced. Where access to mental, physical, and emotional care is timely and in harmony, and where each person is treated as an individual. Where hope isn’t just a word but a reality.
Peace in the Park
In the spirit of changing the energy and focusing on resilience, each year Thumbs Up asks the City of Airdrie to proclaim September as “Resiliency Awareness Month.” Our signature event for the month is our annual Peace in the Park music festival, held at Nose Creek Park in Airdrie. It is a day designed to promote awareness and bring community together in celebration of healers, helpers, and heroes—the everyday champions who build connections, foster resilience, and make the world a kinder place. Top nominees are recognized with an artisan award. As a part of the celebration—which includes musicians, vendors, food trucks, and so much more—we also host a “Healers, Helpers, and Heroes” themed music writing contest with the winners announced at the festival.
