Pleo

What Pleo does

Pleo (Parents' Lifeline of Eastern Ontario) is a family-led, non-profit registered charity (#895635019-RR0001) founded in 2000 and headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. The organization provides free Family Peer Support services to parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0–25) facing mental health or addiction challenges across Eastern Ontario. Its service portfolio integrates a Monday–Friday Parents' Helpline (toll-free and local numbers), in-person support groups at 10+ community locations, one-on-one mobile support (typically over 8 weeks), on-site Family Peer Supporters embedded at partner organizations, virtual support groups via Zoom, navigation and advocacy help, webinars with external clinicians, and a "Dear Pleo" question-submission service. Specialized verticals address SMART Recovery family support, neurodevelopmental caregiving (with CHEO), and caregivers of suicidal youth (with Robbie Dean).

The organization does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its core delivery is human-centered peer support delivered by Family Peer Supporters who combine lived experience of supporting a child through mental health challenges with formal training in ASIST, motivational interviewing, Collaborative Problem Solving, and SMART Recovery/CRAFT approaches. Bilingual delivery (English and French) is offered across services. Pleo's revenue model is grant-funded: income is derived from government grants, foundation grants (notably a $1.5M RBC Foundation gift in October 2020 plus ongoing Bell Let's Talk and CHEO Foundation support), corporate sponsorships, and individual donations through the annual "Share the Care" campaign and monthly Lifeline Collective. All services are provided free of charge to users with no waitlist, no referral requirement, and no paperwork. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on referral networks with hospitals, community health centres, youth wellness hubs, school boards, and direct outreach via social media, earned media, webinars, and community events such as the "Art of Support" gala and the biennial "Prepared and Positive" parent/caregiver conference.

Name

Pleo

Legal name

Pleo

Website

https://pleo.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pleo is a family-led, non-profit registered charity that provides free Family Peer Support to parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0–25) facing mental health or addiction challenges across Eastern Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Peer Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

Keywords

• Family peer support
• Youth mental health services
• Caregiver support groups
• Non-profit charity services
• Addiction family support

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government and Foundation Grants: Pleo is a registered charity (#895635019-RR0001) funded primarily through government and foundation grants. Funders make it possible to operate all programs free of charge.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations (one-time, monthly, and fundraising pages), corporate sponsorships, and donor campaigns (e.g., 'Share the Care' annual campaign) supplement grant funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pleo provides free Family Peer Support services to parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (ages 0–25) facing mental health or addiction challenges in Eastern Ontario. Its core offerings include a Parents Helpline, in-person support groups, one-on-one mobile support, on-site support at partner organizations, virtual support groups, and navigation and advocacy help — all delivered by trained Family Peer Supporters with lived experience.

Product overview

Pleo is a family-led, non-profit organization providing Family Peer Support services specifically designed to support parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (up to age 25) facing mental health or addiction challenges in Eastern Ontario. The organization's service portfolio is structured as an integrated suite of peer support offerings, including a Parents Helpline (telephone support), In Person Support Groups, One-on-One Support, On-Site Support at partner locations, Virtual Support Groups, Navigation and Advocacy Help, Webinars, and Dear Pleo (question submission service). Specialized support groups address specific needs including SMART Recovery for addiction support, Neurodevelopmental support in partnership with CHEO, and Caregiver support in partnership with The Royal. All services are provided free of charge, with no referral required, and are available in both English and French.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parents Helpline A free, confidential telephone support line available Monday–Friday, 9am–7pm EST for parents and caregivers of children up to age 25 facing mental health or addiction challenges. Provides immediate peer support from Family Peer Supporters with no waitlist, no fee, and no paperwork required.
• In Person Support Groups Confidential, judgment-free in-person peer support groups where small groups of parents and caregivers connect and support each other. Led by Family Peer Supporters who share lived experience, resources, and guidance. Available in various communities across Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Richmond, Renfrew, Manotick, Cornwall, Rockland).
• One-on-One Support Intensive individual support connecting parents and caregivers with Family Peer Supporters in their community for one-on-one meetings, typically conducted over an 8-week period.
• On-Site Support Family Peer Supporters available on-site at partner locations across Eastern Ontario (hospitals, community health centres, youth wellness hubs) working closely with partner organizations to ensure families are fully supported.
• Virtual Support Groups Online peer support groups connecting parents and caregivers in a safe, confidential virtual space to share experiences, gain support, and learn practical tools from peers with lived experience. Hosted on Zoom.
• Navigation and Advocacy Help Support helping parents and caregivers find and access services, understand systems, and manage challenges like school issues, medication, safety, housing, and boundaries.
• Webinars Educational webinar series hosted by Pleo in collaboration with guest speakers and clinicians, offering practical tools, useful information, and concrete strategies for parents and caregivers navigating mental health challenges. Offered in English and French.
• Dear Pleo A question submission service allowing parents to ask questions that are answered by Family Peer Supporters. Submissions are confidential and may be featured in the newsletter.
• SMART Recovery Family and Friends Support Group A free drop-in virtual peer support group for family members and friends (18+) supporting loved ones struggling with addictions or addictive behaviors. Based on CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) approaches, offered in English and French versions in partnership with Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.
• Caregiver Neurodevelopmental Virtual Support Group A free drop-in virtual support group for parents and caregivers supporting children or youth (ages 0–18) navigating neurodevelopmental challenges or neurodivergence. Offered in collaboration with CHEO Neurodevelopmental Health (NDH).
• Pleo and The Royal's Caregiver Support Group A free peer support group for parents and caregivers supporting youth and young adults (ages 16–25) navigating mental health challenges. Co-facilitated by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and a Social Worker from The Royal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of parents/caregivers who used Pleo services feel more empowered, better equipped to support their child, and better able to access needed services
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Royal (Mental Health Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo co-facilitates a monthly caregiver support group at The Royal (1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa) for parents and caregivers of youth and young adults (ages 16–25) navigating mental health challenges. The group is co-led by a Pleo Family Peer Supporter and a Social Worker from The Royal.
• CHEO Neurodevelopmental Health (NDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo co-hosts a monthly caregiver neurodevelopmental drop-in virtual support group for parents and caregivers of children/youth (ages 0–18) with neurodevelopmental challenges or neurodivergence. The group is co-facilitated by two Pleo Family Peer Supporters with lived experience and offered in partnership with CHEO Neurodevelopmental Health.
• Sandy Hill Community Health CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo co-hosts and co-facilitates a weekly SMART Recovery Family and Friends virtual support group (Thursdays, 7–8:30pm) for family members and friends of loved ones struggling with addictions or addictive behaviours. The group uses evidence-based CRAFT approaches and is offered in partnership with Sandy Hill Community Health Centre.
• The Robbie Dean Family Counselling CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo and The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre co-host an 8-week virtual peer support group for parents and caregivers of suicidal youth and young adults (up to age 25). The group covers suicide education, crisis response, safety planning, communication skills, and caregiver well-being.
• Queer Connection Lanark (QCL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo collaborated with Queer Connection Lanark to produce two webinars (August 2025) on supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth, featuring Elizabeth Snyder and Erin Lee of QCL, and Pleo staff. Content covered gender identity, sexual orientation, and creating affirming environments.
• Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleo partners with YOMA to host a monthly in-person parent support group at 1139C Mill Street, Manotick, for parents and caregivers of children, youth, and young adults (0–25) facing mental health or addiction challenges.
• Willow Wellness (Richmond, Ontario)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleo partners with Willow Wellness and the Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective to host a monthly in-person parent support group for rural Ottawa parents and caregivers at Willow Wellness (5944 Perth Street, Richmond).
• Carrefour bien-être pour les jeunes du comté de RenfrewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo co-hosts a monthly in-person parent support group in Renfrew County with Carrefour bien-être pour les jeunes du comté de Renfrew and the Addiction Treatment Service (ATS), held at myFM Centre, Renfrew.
• Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-RussellminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBilingual Family Peer Supporters are available by appointment (virtual) at Valoris locations in Embrun (8 Valoris Street) and Rockland (860 Caron Street, Unit 1), serving the Prescott-Russell community.
• Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPleo maintains an on-site bilingual Family Peer Supporter at the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (1355 Bank Street, Suite 300) every Tuesday from 12pm–4:30pm, providing in-person support to families accessing YSB services.
• Cornwall Community Hospital – Community Addiction and Mental Health CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleo maintains an on-site bilingual Family Peer Supporter at Cornwall Community Hospital's Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre (850 McConnell Avenue, Cornwall) on Thursdays from 1pm–4pm.
• Open Doors Mental Health (ODMH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPleo and Open Doors Mental Health co-host information sessions for parents and caregivers of children and youth (ages 0–12) facing mental health or addiction challenges (sessions are currently suspended for summer).
• Rotary Club of West OttawaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Rotary Club of West Ottawa is the gracious sponsor of Pleo's 'Prepared and Positive' 2026 Parent/Caregiver Conference, held at Saint Paul University on April 18, 2026.
• Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPleo partners with the Rural Ottawa Youth Mental Health Collective to host monthly in-person parent support groups in rural Ottawa areas (Richmond).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• mindyourmind: Canadian youth mental health organization offering digital peer-support tools, resources, and programs for youth aged 14-29. Comparable audience and peer-support orientation, with a more digital-first delivery model than Pleo.

Broad incumbents

• Kids Help Phone: Canada's national 24/7 e-mental-health service for youth, including phone, text, and live chat. Operates in the same child/youth mental health support space at a national scale; Pleo serves the parallel caregiver side of the same population.
• Children's Mental Health Ontario (CMHO): The umbrella association representing child and youth mental health service providers across Ontario. Pleo operates in the same child/youth mental health ecosystem and is part of the broader CMHO network of family-facing supports.

Regional players

• Foundry: BC-based integrated youth wellness network offering peer support, mental health, substance use, and family services to youth aged 12-24. Comparable as a youth-and-family wellness peer-support platform, though anchored in British Columbia rather than Ontario.
• Canadian Mental Health Association – Ottawa Branch: Regional CMHA branch delivering mental health programs, peer support, and family resources in Ottawa. Direct geographic overlap with Pleo and overlapping caregiver/youth mental health mandate in Eastern Ontario.

Direct peers

• Carrefour bien-être pour les jeunes: French-language youth wellness hub serving Eastern Ontario (Cornwall/SDG and Renfrew County) where Pleo already co-hosts parent support groups. Direct overlap on bilingual youth-and-family wellness delivery in the same geography.
• Strongest Families Institute: Canadian organization providing distance-delivered mental health services to children, youth, and families using skill-based coaching models. Comparable as a Canadian family-mental-health peer/support provider, though more clinically structured than Pleo's lived-experience peer model.
• Crossroads Children's Mental Health Centre: Ottawa children's mental health centre offering counseling and intensive treatment. Operates in the same child mental health ecosystem in Ottawa and is listed among Pleo's referral and co-program partners.
• Parents for Children's Mental Health (PCMH): A provincial Ontario family peer-support organization for families of children and youth with mental health challenges. Direct peer because both are family-led nonprofits offering peer support, navigation, and advocacy for caregivers, with overlapping populations and funding pools.
• Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB): Ottawa-based youth-serving agency where Pleo already co-locates a bilingual Family Peer Supporter weekly. Direct overlap in target population (youth and families facing mental health/substance use challenges) in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pleo4families
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pleo4families
• Facebookfacebook.com/pleo4families
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pleo-parents-lifeline
• Instagraminstagram.com/pleo4families

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pleo