About Us
At Mind Forge, we believe that community is one of the most powerful forces for mental wellness. We are a not-for-profit organization on a mission to promote mental health through connection, creating inclusive spaces across Ontario where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, support one another, and genuinely thrive.
We know that traditional mental health support doesn't work for everyone. Cost, stigma, waitlists, and the simple discomfort of asking for help can all get in the way. That's why we've built something different: welcoming, low-barrier spaces where showing up is enough. No diagnosis required. No referral needed. Just real people looking for real connection.
For adults, our Common Room offers a place to exhale. Whether you're joining a casual board game night, sitting down for a tabletop adventure, connecting with other parents, or joining us for a farmers market crawl, you'll find genuine community waiting for you. For children and youth, our structured facilitator-led programs use collaborative storytelling, LEGO®, Minecraft, and Dungeons & Dragons as vehicles for building confidence, communication, emotional resilience, and lasting friendships.
Every program we run is developed under the oversight of a Registered Psychotherapist, so while our door is open to absolutely everyone, the quality and care behind what we do is anything but casual. We've made it our work to remove the financial and social barriers that keep people from getting support, which is why our programs are offered at low or no cost to participants.
At Mind Forge, you don't have to be struggling to belong here. You just have to be human. Come as you are, and find your people.
Director of Curriculum & Education
Jessica Rayle
With over five years in youth education, Jessica is driven by a simple belief: high-quality social support should never be a luxury. At Mind Forge, she bridges intentional social-emotional learning with the power of play, empowering facilitators to be genuine mentors and ensuring every child has a safe, affordable space to grow, connect, and feel truly seen.
Director of Narrative Design
Christian Vetro
Christian believes that a great story is best told together. As Director of Narrative Design, he harnesses the collaborative power of Dungeons & Dragons to build skills like creative problem-solving, roleplay, and group dynamics in an environment where imagination is celebrated and new players feel genuinely welcome. Every adventure he designs is an intentional exercise in connection, one where participants don't just play a character, they help shape a community.
Community Partnership Leader
Liam Macdonald
With over five years in youth education, Jessica is driven by a simple belief: high-quality social support should never be a luxury. At Mind Forge, she bridges intentional social-emotional learning with the power of play, empowering facilitators to be genuine mentors and ensuring every child has a safe, affordable space to grow, connect, and feel truly seen.
Director of Wellness & Mental Health
Siobhan Bell
Liam believes that "normal" is just a setting on a washing machine, and he brings that conviction to everything he does as Community Partnership Leader. By building strong local relationships and championing personalized, judgment-free support, he ensures Mind Forge's resources reach deep into the community and that every participant finds a place where they truly belong.
Director of Program Methodology
Kory Whitten
Kory is a dedicated advocate for the creation of "Third Spaces"—sanctuaries outside of home and school where youth can explore interests "off the beaten path" and find their true community. A veteran storyteller with over a decade of Dungeons & Dragons experience, Kory brings an infectious energy to the table, specializing in immersive world-building and character voices. Whether he is acting as a Dungeon Master or playing his favorite class—the Paladin—Kory remains committed to the classic hero’s journey where good always triumphs. Kory lives in Kitchener with his wife, Emily, and their three Ghibli-inspired cats: Kiki, Jiji, and Calcifer.
Our Story
It started with a simple belief: that people are better together.
We saw it happen over a shared board game, a collaborative build, a campfire story told around a table. Something shifts when people come together around a common experience. Guards come down. Conversations start. Friendships form. And for many of the people we've welcomed through our doors, that moment of genuine connection was exactly what they needed.
Mind Forge was built on the idea that mental health support doesn't have to look like a waiting room. It can look like a game night. A farmers market crawl. A LEGO build. A D&D campaign where you get to be the hero for a few hours. We created spaces where showing up is enough, and where community itself becomes the medicine.
We are a not-for-profit made up of educators, healthcare professionals, storytellers, and volunteers who believe that belonging is a basic human need. Our programs are low-cost or free because we refuse to let financial barriers stand between anyone and the support they deserve. Every facilitator we train, every partnership we build, and every session we run comes back to one goal: making sure that no one has to navigate life's harder moments alone.
We are growing across Ontario, from South Simcoe to Toronto to Waterloo Region and beyond, because the need for real community is everywhere. And wherever we go, we bring the same promise: a welcoming space where every person, regardless of age, background, or experience, can find their people.
This is our story. We hope you'll be part of it.