Vision
Healthy Men. Healthy Families. Healthy Communities.
Mission
The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is the nation’s hub for boys, men, fathers and families. As a registered mental health and social service charity, we work for a healthy future for men, boys, and their families, by filling critical gaps in men’s services that reduce male suicide, strengthen the father-child relationship, help men heal from trauma, and develop positive pathways for struggling male youth. We support, empower and advocate for boys, men, fathers and their families before, during and after a crisis, in a courageous, open, safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. We promote a positive view of masculinity and celebrate the contributions of boys and men to society. We believe that when boys and men are supported to live their best lives, everybody benefits.
Mandate
CCMF provides a robust series of essential mental health, victim support, legal and parenting programs and services. We also operate first-of-their-kind family emergency residential and transitional housing facilities. In addition to delivering front-line programs, we undertake evidence-based research to better understand and address the broad issues affecting boys and men, host public education programs, build community partnerships, lead outreach and awareness campaigns, and work to improve public policies to better support all Canadians. The ultimate goal is a society-wide transformation that integrates boys and men fully into all efforts at gender equality. In catalyzing foundational improvements to social institutions, we can close the serious gaps in support for boys and men, fulfilling our vision for healthier communities.
Values
CCMF values equality, tolerance, respect, dignity and acceptance.
CCMF values compassion and understanding.
CCMF values an open, diverse community.
CCMF values fundamental freedoms and human rights.
CCMF values education and empowerment.
CCMF values integrity, transparency and accountability.
We believe:
CCMF recognizes the intrinsic value of each individual. We value the human rights of every person. We believe that all human beings who experience difficulty should be treated with compassion. We believe that men and boys share a common collective interest with women and girls. We believe that through promoting the health and welfare of any individual, all will benefit.
Supporting men and boys who experience trauma and adversity creates safer, more caring and prosperous communities. Men, women, boys and girls equally need opportunities, support, encouragement and positive messaging in order to succeed; and when they do, we all win. Everyone regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion and nationality deserves to feel safe, respected, fulfilled and treated with equality, in order to reach their full potential.
We cannot solve intractable social problems unless we meaningfully integrate diverse perspectives. We encourage the respectful exchange of ideas to foster greater understanding. CCMF encourages respectful and peaceful dialogue to understand from different points of view, to seek common ground and to find resolutions to difficult problems.
We value public policy that flows from facts and evidence-based scholarship. We anchor our efforts in rigorous, scientific, peer-reviewed research.
Through collaborative partnerships, we work to improve the relationship between boys, men, and the social institutions that serve society.
CCMF is committed to rebuilding men’s agency. We assist men and boys to find effective solutions for the problems they face, restoring a feeling of control over actions and consequences. We equip men with appropriate tools, education, resources and ongoing support.