Our Mission

The Patch Coffey Foundation for Youth Recovery is dedicated to supporting youth and young adults (under 25) in Canada affected by substance use disorder. Through bursaries and financial assistance, the Foundation helps families access essential treatment and counselling services that might otherwise be out of reach. In partnership with other organizations, the Foundation also works to raise awareness and advocate for expanded publicly funded treatment programs and facilities, ensuring that young people across Canada have access to the care and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives.

About THE PATCH COFFEY FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH RECOVERY

Patch's Story

Patrick "Patch" Coffey was a bright, funny, compassionate, and deeply loved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. To those who knew him, Patch had an incredible ability to make people laugh, put others at ease, and make everyone around him feel welcome. He was the kind of person who brought warmth and joy wherever he went.

Patch grew up with a deep love for the outdoors and spent many summers at camp, first as a camper and later as a camp counsellor. He had a natural gift for connecting with young people and was someone others looked up to for his kindness, humour, and authenticity.

A gifted performer, Patch studied Drama at the University of Guelph and continued pursuing his passion through training with The Second City. He dreamed of becoming a high school drama teacher and was preparing to apply to teachers' college, hoping to inspire young people through creativity, confidence, and laughter.

Like many young adults, Patch also struggled with substance misuse at times. He was actively working toward recovery and looking forward to the future when, at just 24 years old, he died from a fentanyl-induced accidental overdose. Patch did not intend to use fentanyl, and he did not want to die.

His loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of everyone who loved him. While we miss him every day, we also remember the remarkable person he was - his generosity, his humour, his compassion, and the countless lives he touched. This foundation exists so that his legacy can continue changing lives for years to come.

Why We Exist

Across Canada, substance use disorder among youth and young adults has become an increasingly urgent crisis. Drug toxicity deaths have risen dramatically over the past two decades, driven largely by the proliferation of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply. Canada now sees more than 7,000 opioid-related deaths each year, the majority involving fentanyl or its analogues. Most are accidental - affecting people who had no idea what they were consuming, and who could have survived with better access to treatment and support.

Patch's family, like many others, understands firsthand the profound gaps that exist in substance use treatment and counselling services for young people in Canada.

Despite Toronto being one of the largest cities in North America, publicly funded treatment options specifically designed for young people remain scarce. Existing programs often carry long waitlists, limited capacity, or offer only outpatient services. Many facilities serve a wide range of ages and needs, placing vulnerable young people alongside older adults or others who may not yet be committed to recovery. For families left without adequate public options, private treatment - sometimes outside of Canada - becomes the only path forward. For most, that cost is simply out of reach.

The Patch Coffey Foundation for Youth Recovery was established to help close these gaps.

The Foundation provides direct financial assistance to youth and young adults under the age of 25 who require substance use counselling or treatment but whose families cannot afford private services. By helping families access care when they need it most, we aim to give young people a real chance at recovery - before it's too late.

Beyond financial support, the Foundation is committed to raising awareness and advocating for stronger, youth-focused treatment services across Canada. In the long term, we hope to support the development of dedicated youth recovery facilities in Ontario - spaces where young people can receive the specialized care, safety, and support they deserve.

This vision includes the possibility of one day establishing "Patch's Place," a youth-focused recovery centre built on leading treatment models that prioritize compassion, safety, and long-term healing.

Through this work, Patch's legacy lives on - giving other young people hope, support, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

For many youth that desperately need help, their families just can’t afford the cost of treatment. The Patch Coffey Foundation for Youth Recovery provides much needed bursary funds for the families of young people in need of substance misuse treatment who would otherwise not be able to afford it.  By donating to the foundation, you will help children in need access lifesaving treatment and go on to lead healthy, happy and addiction-free lives.

* Statistics from Health Canada and CMA