On a summer evening in Toronto, more than 175 guests gathered among lush gardens and blooming flowers for a cause as urgent as it is under-recognized. The 6th WaterStone Garden Party, hosted by Tara and Ernie Rinomato at their stunning Etobicoke home, was a powerful act of community and compassion, raising over $200,000 to expand access to eating disorder treatment for young people.
Since its founding in 2014, WaterStone Foundation has worked to bridge the gap in services for those struggling with eating disorders, now estimated to affect 2.9 million Canadians. With public treatment options difficult to access and private care often financially out of reach, the Foundation focuses on timely, practical solutions that get young people the help they need, when they need it.
The evening’s proceeds will directly support WaterStone’s groundbreaking Student Support Program, which funds the placement of eating disorder therapists on Ontario college and university campuses. These therapists provide free, specialized, one-on-one counselling with no long waitlists, no cost barriers, and no crisis threshold required. In just over two years, the program has delivered more than 5,000 hours of free counselling to students at George Brown College, Toronto Metropolitan University, Carleton University, and Durham College.
“Most post-secondary schools don’t have anyone on staff with the training to address eating disorders,” said Kim Duffy, co-founder of the Foundation. “We created the Student Support Program to change that, to ensure young people get real, sustained support where and when they need it.”
Kim and her husband, Terry, know the cost of delay all too well. Years ago, they struggled to find treatment for their daughter, who was eventually admitted to a residential clinic in the U.S., an option out of reach for most families. Frustrated by Canada’s lack of public services, they joined forces with another family to found WaterStone Foundation, determined to spare others the same uphill battle.
Eating disorders are among the most fatal mental illnesses, especially for girls aged 17 to 24, yet services remain critically underfunded. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, hospital admissions for eating disorders among girls aged 10 to 17 rose by 60% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects still linger, with schools across the country facing growing demand for help and few resources to meet it.
“Early intervention is key,” Duffy emphasized. “The earlier an eating disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. That’s why we’re pushing to expand this program to every post-secondary school in Ontario.”
The night’s success was made possible through the generosity of sponsors, including The Taylor Group, Gib-San Pool & Landscape Creations, MacDonald & Partners LLP, Kingsway Dermatology and Cosmetic Centre and Humberview Motors, allowing 100% of ticket proceeds to go directly toward life-saving services. Guests mingled in the beautifully landscaped gardens, enjoyed gourmet fare, and heard powerful stories of recovery and resilience from those touched by the Foundation’s work.
Yet the need remains immense. Of Ontario’s 48 post-secondary institutions, only four currently offer this kind of dedicated eating disorder support. For students at the remaining 44, help is often unavailable unless they’re in full crisis, a reality that the WaterStone team is determined to change.
The Garden Party may have lasted just one evening, but its impact will be felt for months and years to come. As guests enjoyed the beauty of the Rinomato backyard, it was clear that this event wasn’t just about raising funds. It was about raising awareness, building hope, and showing what’s possible when a community unites to tackle one of the most urgent youth mental health issues of our time.
To learn more about the Waterstone Foundation, visit their website and social media pages.
