Born out of tragedy, farmers and first responders will soon have a new place in rural Ontario to find hope and relief when experiencing mental health challenges.
In 2020 the Bergsma family lost their son Dalles to suicide. Dalles was a pork producer and volunteer fire fighter in the Township of Dawn-Euphemia. In his memory, the family created and built the Three Oaks Respite Cabin.
The cabin is designed as a tranquil space where farmers and first responders can go, when the stresses of the world seem too daunting to tackle on their own.
On Saturday October 21, 2023, the Bergsma’s held an Open House for the three-bedroom respite cabin. Hundreds of people attended the emotional ceremony.