As a hairstylist, a big part of Angela Willey’s job involves listening to clients as they share stories about their lives.
“Often, they’re happy stories,” said Willey. “Often they’re very unfortunate.”
A common thread among the latter involves personal or family struggles for which professional counselling would be sought if cost wasn’t a barrier.
“Most people, I feel, say I’m just going to have to suck it up and get through this because it’s just hard to justify being able to spend $150 (per session) on oneself versus school supplies, groceries or things like that,” said Willey, who can empathize as her own family had gone through a difficult time requiring professional support.
“It was a long process to even get to that point, accepting that yes, we should go and speak to someone professional,” Willey continued. “We’re all doing fantastic now and I feel grateful… but it has allowed me time to reflect upon what we’ve come through and to really appreciate and acknowledge the fortunate circumstance that we’re in, in that we do have each other, we do have loved ones, family and friends as well as access to benefits.”
Willey is now determined to help others who have reached the realization that professional help is needed but may not have work benefits or other funding needed to take that step. She recently formed the non-profit CAKE (Community Awareness, Kindness and Equity) Foundation. Its mission is to create equitable access to professional mental health and wellness services for all individuals – regardless of financial circumstance or benefits coverage.
“We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access quality care with dignity and inclusion,” said Willey.
In their professional lives, CAKE Foundation board members Sarah Stevens and Jillian Christjansen regularly see people wanting, or in need of, help but are discouraged by cost or other barriers.
Stevens, a youth program co-ordinator with the Shuswap Children’s Association, said she works with 2SLGBTQI+ youth ages 8 to 18, and has found “a lot of them don’t have access to counselling.”
“The financial barrier is really tough… It’s a huge need in this community and the wait lists for free services are way too long,” said Stevens, a former registered nurse, “And finding the right fit for a kid is so hard too. None of them seem to want to do virtual appointments, they all want to do in person, so that means it has to be someone local. So lots of barriers.”
At the health and wellness centre where she’s an office administrator, Christjansen, a registered nurse, said she’s had “people call in tears having to cancel their next counselling appointment because ‘I have to wait until next month’ or ‘I cant’ afford it’.”
“You want to be like, we’ll find a way,” said Christjansen. “If people don’t have benefits or they can’t access their benefits – it’s so challenging.”
Christjansen noted she’d received counselling and that it was “life changing for me to have that time period working several months with the same practitioner and really feel like I’m making so much progress.”
“This was a colleague I’d started seeing as my counsellor, and she made such a big difference for me, which in turn helped my family so much, my marriage so much – the trickle down is huge.”
Willey agreed “the ripple effect is huge.”
“It does affect our co-workers, our friends, our family, our community – that’s why I think it’s so beneficial for everyone to be able to go and talk to someone.”
The CAKE Foundation’s goal for 2026 is to raise money to support 10 individuals for up to six sessions each in Salmon Arm. Those individuals would be referred to the foundation by a local, private care provider.
The organization is in the process of reaching out to providers who would be interested in taking part, having already heard from at least one who said “if there’s a way to do this, please let me know and we’re on board.”
Willey and the board are also looking for grant opportunities, and are considering acquiring charitable status. CAKE also welcomes support through donations, partnerships, and community engagement, as “we continue creating accessible wellness opportunities for all.”
Honoured that people continue to share their stories with her, Willey sees Salmon Arm as a community that cares and pulls together, and can help turn some of those unfortunate stories around.
“When you hear someone struggling… and they tell you they need support, then let’s let them get that support…,” said Willey.
For donations, the CAKE Foundation has an account at downtown SASCU. For further information, visit the CAKE Foundation Non Profit on Facebook, or email [email protected].
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