From Loss to Legacy: Youth Shine Campaign Honoured with Memorial Mural

A meaningful new mural at our newest location 99 Ferris Lane now marks the legacy of the Youth Shine Campaign and honours the memory of Mitchell Conlon.

Ten years ago, following Mitchell’s death, his mother, Natalie Conlon, helped launch the Youth Shine Campaign with a vision to strengthen youth mental health supports in the community. Her goal was to ensure that young people would have welcoming spaces where they could connect, access support, and feel less alone.

Through the generosity of donors and community supporters, the campaign helped transform spaces at Ferris Lane, now home to the Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program, which supports youth and young adults experiencing early signs of psychosis. The campaign helped fund improvements including a kitchen and youth-friendly gathering areas designed to foster connection and community. Several spaces also recognize the families and supporters who contributed to the campaign.

As the final piece of the Youth Shine Campaign, a mural was created in memory of Mitchell and in recognition of the community that helped make the campaign possible.

The project was developed in partnership with the Art Program at Bear Creek Secondary School, with students working closely with Natalie Conlon to bring the design to life. Students visited Ferris Lane to sketch the concept and later returned to complete the painting.

The finished mural now stands as a lasting tribute to Mitchell’s legacy and the collective commitment to supporting youth mental health in Simcoe County.

The Simcoe County District School Board Communications team also created a video highlighting the mural and the collaboration behind the project.

While the Youth Shine Campaign has now come to a close, its impact will continue through the spaces it helped create—places where youth can connect, find support, and build hope for the future.