Nicole’s story
Sometimes a tragedy can be a catalyst for change. No one knows this better than Nicole German.
Two years ago, when her daughter Madeline’s life ended tragically at the age of 14, Nicole was left with two choices: become consumed by grief or be a voice for those in need.
“The Maddie Project has grown from the community up. Women, youth and their families are joining together and helping to move the cause forward.”
Nicole pushed through her grief, forming The Maddie Project to advocate change in her daughter’s honour. The grassroots movement has opened a new dialogue about youth mental health and is the biggest community supporter of Phillips House, the future home of NYGH’s children and adolescent outpatient mental health programs.
Working with the Foundation, The Maddie Project raised over $1M to create Maddie’s Healing Garden – a 1.2 acre therapeutic garden at Phillips House. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2018, Phillips House and Maddie’s Healing Garden will act as a refuge for thousands of families in our community.