When a Grade 6 student returned to learning after more than 90 days away from school, it was more than just a small win — it was a clear sign that something innovative was working.
That “something” is a new partnership between Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) and the JonAyves Learning Club, a private tutoring service that’s making waves through its unique approach to helping youth struggling with both mental health and academic challenges.
Together, they’ve launched a pilot program that offers short, virtual tutoring sessions to youth already connected to BCHS’s outpatient mental health services. The results so far? Nothing short of encouraging.
“We had students who hadn’t been in school for months — and now, they’re showing up every week,” said Maxwell Roach, founder and CEO of JonAyves Learning Club.
“These weren’t mandatory sessions. These students wanted to be there.”
For Kristin Toushan-Blinkhorn, Clinical Manager of Outpatient Mental Health and Addiction Services at BCHS, the project started with a simple — but bold — question: Could academic support improve mental health outcomes for youth in treatment?
“We kept hearing from our staff — nurses, counsellors, social workers — that school was a major source of stress for the youth they were supporting,” Toushan-Blinkhorn explained.
“In some cases, students hadn’t returned to school after the pandemic. Others were struggling with confidence, anxiety, or just feeling left behind.”
And while schools do their best to support these students, the reality is that education and mental health often operate in separate systems. This partnership aims to bridge that gap.
Short, Virtual, and Designed to Work
What sets this program apart is its design. Instead of long, traditional tutoring sessions, the JonAyves Learning Club focuses on 20 to 30-minute virtual sessions, tailored to the individual student.
“It’s no secret that today’s kids are used to short-form content,” said Roach.
“Hour-long sessions weren’t working. They were tiring for students. So we shifted — shorter lessons, done virtually, wherever the student feels comfortable. Some even log in from the car on the way to practice.”
Sessions are offered twice a week for a month, and align with the Ontario curriculum. Students receive personalized instruction from trained tutors — all without the pressure of a classroom setting.
Measurable Growth — in Confidence and Calm
According to both Roach and Toushan-Blinkhorn, the program is showing real impact.
“We’re seeing decreased anxiety, better attendance, and improved self-esteem,” said Toushan-Blinkhorn.
“Some of these students had completely withdrawn from school life — and now they’re re-engaging.”
Roach shared that the team uses GAD-7 style assessments to monitor anxiety levels before and after the program.
“We’re seeing measurable reductions in anxiety,” he said. “Education doesn’t just support learning — it plays a major role in a young person’s mental health.”
A Local First — With Potential to Grow
What makes this partnership truly special is that — as far as the team can tell — it’s the first of its kind in Ontario.
“We’ve looked around,” Roach said. “There are tutoring programs, and there are mental health supports. But this kind of collaboration between a hospital and a tutoring provider? We haven’t seen it before.”
And because the model is virtual, it’s also scalable.
BCHS and JonAyves are already talking about expanding the program to reach more youth across the Brantford-Brant region — and potentially beyond.
“This aligns perfectly with BCHS’s vision of Leading Beyond Care,” said Toushan-Blinkhorn. “We’re not just treating mental health issues — we’re addressing the social and academic factors that play a huge role in recovery.”
What’s Next?
While the program is still in its early stages, both BCHS and the JonAyves Learning Club are excited about what’s to come.
“We’re moving thoughtfully, not quickly,” said Roach. “This is a partnership that works because we’re putting students first — their needs, their pace, their goals.”
With more students already requesting to continue beyond the pilot phase, the demand is clear — and the community support is growing.
Parents or educators interested in learning more about the program can reach out to BCHS Outpatient Mental Health Services https://www.bchsys.org/en/care-services/mental-health-and-addictions.aspx or visit the JonAyves Learning Club website https://www.jonayves.com/ .
