Behind PLEO

PLEO — Supporting Parents When They Need It Most

For more than 25 years, PLEO has been built around a simple but important idea: parents and caregivers should not have to navigate their child’s mental health journey alone.

PLEO stands for Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario. As a non-profit organization, PLEO supports parents and caregivers of children, youth and young adults up to age 25 who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

At the heart of its work is peer support.

“We are really about making sure parents and caregivers do not have to figure everything out on their own,” PLEO shares.

Through peer support, a helpline, support groups and help navigating community services, PLEO gives families a place to turn when they need understanding, guidance and someone who has been there before.

A Mission Started by Parents

PLEO’s story began more than 25 years ago, when parents came together after experiencing firsthand how difficult it could be to navigate the mental health system for their children.

They understood the uncertainty and isolation that families could experience because they had experienced it themselves.

They wanted to create the kind of support they wished they had when they needed it.

That parent-to-parent approach remains at the heart of PLEO today.

It is a story of families helping families — and of creating a community where parents and caregivers know they do not have to face these challenges alone.

When Technology Becomes Part of the Mission

Like many small non-profit organizations, PLEO depends on technology every day. But having technology at the centre of an organization does not necessarily mean having a large internal IT department.

Before working with Heartfelt IT, PLEO was looking for reliable technology support that was easy to access when something went wrong.

At the same time, they wanted someone they could turn to when their systems and technology needs changed.

For PLEO, the right IT relationship was not simply about fixing technical problems. It was about having a partner who could understand how the organization works and help make technology easier to manage.

Working With Heartfelt IT

PLEO describes its experience with Heartfelt IT as a positive one.

“The team is approachable, responsive and easy to work with,” they shared.

That accessibility matters, particularly in an organization where technology may not be everyone’s area of expertise.

Having someone available to answer questions, troubleshoot issues and help with technology decisions gives the PLEO team one less thing to worry about.

And sometimes, it comes down to the people behind the support.

“Lawrence is an amazing engineer!”

For PLEO, having an IT partner they feel comfortable reaching out to has helped make technology feel more manageable.

Finding an IT Partner That Understands Your Organization

When asked what advice they would give to other organizations looking for an IT partner, PLEO focused less on technology itself and more on the relationship.

“Find a team that is easy to communicate with and takes the time to understand how your organization actually works.”

For PLEO, clear communication is important. So is having someone who can explain things in a way that makes sense, help with problem-solving and recommend solutions that are appropriate for a non-profit organization.

It is a reminder that good IT support is not only about having the right technology. It is also about having the right people to help you navigate it.

What’s Next for PLEO?

There is always something happening at PLEO, from virtual support groups to in-person activities and outreach across Eastern Ontario.

The organization is currently preparing for its third annual Soirée, taking place on October 8, 2026, at the Ottawa Art Gallery.

The evening will bring together supporters and community partners for food, art and live entertainment while raising funds to support PLEO’s work.

At the same time, PLEO continues to grow its support groups, outreach and services so that more parents and caregivers across Eastern Ontario know that PLEO is there when they need support.

And behind all of that work is the same mission that started more than 25 years ago: making sure parents and caregivers do not have to navigate these challenges alone.

We are proud to work alongside organizations like PLEO that make such a meaningful difference in their communities.

Inspired by PLEO’s story?

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