Brantford residents will step up for mental health on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the Canadian Mental Health Association Brant Haldimand Norfolk (CMHA BHN) hosts its 8th Annual Walk for HOPE in partnership with H.O.P.E. Brant, which runs weekend drop-in programs for people living with mental health and/or substance-related disorders.
The walk starts at Mohawk Park, Shelter A, at 10:30 a.m., following a five-kilometre route to Harmony Square and back. A one-kilometre option is also available. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., with opening remarks at 10:15 a.m. After the walk, participants can enjoy a free lunch, door prize draws, and gift bags.
All funds raised go directly to H.O.P.E.’s after-hours peer support drop-in programs, which operate on Saturdays and Sundays. These programs receive no direct government funding and rely entirely on donations and events like the Walk for Hope. They provide a safe, non-judgmental space for people to connect with others when most mainstream services are closed.
H.O.P.E. is a consumer-run organization based in Brantford, offering peer support, advocacy, and employment services. Its roots go back to 1991 as a CMHA program, becoming independent in 1993 and renamed H.O.P.E. in 2011. The first Walk for Hope was held in 2019. Ahead of last year’s walk, organizers had set a $10,000 fundraising goal and had already raised just over $5,000 from sponsors.
Registration is open through CanadaHelps. For more information, visit CMHA Brant Haldimand Norfolk or H.O.P.E. Brant.
