Kitchn in Motion: Community Outreach

Propel was launched in 2017 as part of WRHN @ Midtown's (formerly Grand River Hospital) outpatient program. It is built on the concept of resiliency; a crucial element in a person's ability to trust themselves and others, form meaningful social connections, take appropriate risks, cope with a crisis, and adapt to change.

Cook & Connect Propel Program is a cooking program designed to provide a safe, welcoming space for youth mental health patients to learn, connect, and grow.

Led by Chef Rob and Chef Mady, Cook & Connect fosters healing, friendship, and belonging. Through hands-on cooking experiences, teens develop essential life skills, build confidence, and find joy in the process.

Cook & Connect is part of Waterloo Regional Health Network’s Propel, an innovative program that provides opportunities for youth to achieve personal success with therapeutic, community-based activities.

Propel provides opportunities for youth registered with Waterloo Regional Health Network’s Child & Adolescent Mental Health Program to achieve personal success with therapeutic goals — by engaging them with community based activities where they learn new skills that support their recovery, resilience, and the development of healthy peer relationships.

Your donation helps cover the cost of registration for a youth in need including ingredients, facility rental and equipment fees.

Chef Mady and Chef Rob are always looking for meaningful ways to give back to our community. Through our support of Cook & Connect (Propel programming), select small-scale events and pop-ups allow a portion—or all—of proceeds to be donated directly to this impactful program. We have proudly donated freshly baked cookies paired with Cook & Connect information cards at community events, and were also seen at THE MUSEUM serving our signature pickle soup and biscuits, with all proceeds donated to Propel. If you’re hosting an event that aligns with community-building, wellness, or youth engagement, we would love to explore how we can collaborate—reach out today to see if your event is a fit.