S.U.C.C.E.S.S. celebrates BMO investment to sustain newcomer mental health services

Media Release  

For Immediate Release  

Jan. 6, 2026 

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. celebrates BMO investment to sustain newcomer mental health services 

Vancouver, B.C. – S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is a proud recipient of a generous $150,000 donation from BMO designed to connect newcomers to Canada with ongoing access to counselling and crisis support services to help them cope with immigration and life challenges.

“S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is very grateful for the continued partnership with BMO and for their commitment to a shared vision of community care,” said Queenie Choo, CEO, S.UC.C.E.S.S. “Our services address the challenges and mental health issues that many newcomers face, and it’s critical for them to access support in their preferred language to be truly understood. This donation helps ensure we can continue offering respectful and non-judgemental support to everyone who reaches out.”

BMO’s two-year investment of $150,000 builds on S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’s nearly 25-year history of providing culturally and linguistically matched emotional support for immigrant and refugee communities. This contribution has enabled major advancements across S.U.C.C.E.S.S.’s multilingual crisis network, including expanded Ukrainian-language capacity and development of a new Spanish Help Line. With training, program design, and community partnerships already in place, the service is positioned for future implementation as additional resourcing becomes available.
“Moving to a new country often means leaving behind familiar support systems while navigating language barriers, cultural differences and uncertainty,” said James Kitamura, Regional President, Personal Banking, British Columbia and Yukon Region at BMO. “S.U.C.C.E.S.S. does incredible work reaching thousands of newcomers with culturally and linguistically appropriate crisis and counseling support. Through this partnership, we’re committed to helping newcomers access the services they need when they need it most, because when individuals thrive, communities grow stronger.”

In 2024-25, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Help Lines responded to 5,790+ calls for confidential emotional support and referrals to community resources through our 24/7 crisis phone lines, delivered in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Farsi/Dari and Ukrainian. S.U.C.C.E.S.S. counselling services supported 255 people and families during that period, providing them with high-quality, confidential individual and family therapy. Dozens of clients also joined free, culturally appropriate support groups which equip participants with practical skills and a network to help them cope.

The partnership between BMO and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has a long history and includes support for Walk with the Dragon, the Bridge to S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Gala, the BC Newcomers Job Fair, the Employee Health & Wellness Fair, the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Charity Golf Tournament and others. This builds on BMO’s rich history of supporting the Chinese community in Vancouver.

This collaboration has also strengthened through the leadership of Ilda Brazinha, Regional Vice-President, Personal Banking at BMO in Vancouver who currently serves on the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Society board and has been instrumental in supporting local community engagement.

BMO Gives. Good grows here.  

Helping communities thrive by supporting the organizations that sustain them and encouraging employee giving and volunteerism is at the heart of BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life.

In 2024, we directed more than $108 million to drive progress for communities, which included $101 million in philanthropic contributions to hundreds of charities and nonprofit organizations across North America.

Our colleagues spent over 54,000 hours volunteering in the community and contributed more than $39 million of donations through employee-driven giving in our annual campaigns.

For more information, please visit BMO.com.

For more information from S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Elaine O’Connor
Director, Strategic Communications and Partnerships
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
[email protected]

About S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
Founded in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service agencies in Canada. Our multicultural, non-profit charitable organization offers a wide range of programs and services that promote the belonging, wellness, and independence of people at all stages of their Canadian journey. Programs and services are offered in the areas of newcomer settlement, English language training, employment and entrepreneurship, family, youth and seniors programming, health education, community development, seniors care and affordable housing. Learn more at successbc.ca.

About S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation
Incorporated in 2001, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Foundation is a charitable organization that raises funding for S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and its affiliated organizations supporting S.U.C.C.E.S.S. mandates that focus on strengthening our diverse communities. For details, please visit successfoundation.ca.

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