Children's Aid Foundation adds 'of Canada' to name to reflect current national reach and is asking Canadians to help improve the future for kids in care
TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Starting today, Children's Aid Foundation officially becomes Children's Aid Foundation of Canada and launches its national campaign for child welfare - Stand Up for Kids. Canadians can help shape the future for children and young people living in care of the child welfare system who urgently need their support by signing the pledge at standupforkids.ca.
"By signing the Stand Up for Kids pledge and becoming an ally, you are sending the message that it's not alright for kids in Canada to suffer abuse, neglect, abandonment and lack the basic things other children take for granted," says Children's Aid Foundation of Canada President and CEO, Valerie McMurtry. "For kids in care, normal shouldn't be growing up without the unconditional love of a permanent family or a supportive community, which can have a lasting negative impact on their ability to thrive and develop intro healthy adults. We all have a role to play in improving their lives and by working together, we as Canadians can make a significant difference in the futures of vulnerable kids."
In Canada, more than 235,000 children and youth live with the threat of abuse, neglect or abandonment and over 67,000 live in foster care without permanent families. The reasons why children come into care are complex, but are never a child's fault. They can include poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, isolation and lack of a parenting support network, and the legacy of intergenerational trauma.
Without support, they face incredible odds to a brighter future; less than 50 per cent will graduate high school and they are 200 times more likely than their peers to experience homelessness. In addition, 82% of kids in care are diagnosed with special needs and nearly all have experienced childhood trauma.
At standupforkids.ca, Canadians can join the movement to create change for kids in care in Canada by:
Stand Up for Kids is Children's Aid Foundation of Canada's national campaign for child welfare, with a goal of raising $60 million for children and youth in care of the child welfare system – focusing efforts on four key priority areas: education, enrichment, health & wellbeing and youth in transition. To date, $41 million has been raised and donations to Stand Up for Kids will help more young people in and from care across Canada. More information on Stand Up for Kids can be found here: cafdn.org/stand-up-for-kids/.
How Children's Aid Foundation of Canada is improving lives across the country
Through donations, Children's Aid Foundation of Canada is helping children and young people living in the child welfare system by helping them move from surviving to thriving, and empowering them to break the cycle of abuse and neglect they were born into through no fault of their own. Established in 1979 as a local fundraising partner for the Children's Aid Society of Toronto to assist children in the community, the Foundation now raises and grants funds and develops programs with 72 child- and youth-serving agencies across Canada. Becoming Children's Aid Foundation of Canada will enable increased awareness and donations from a broader group of supporters, as well as allow for the creation of new programs addressing the unique needs of kids across the country.
Last year, through the support of generous donors, the Foundation transformed the lives of over 24,000 children and youth through national programs such as the post-secondary education scholarship program, CIBC Miracle Fund, Element Fleet Management Youth Capital Program, HSBC National Transformation Project, the Scotia Stay in School Program, the Slaight Family Foundation Right at Home Program and the Ted & Loretta Rogers Foster Care Transition Program.
Stand Up for Kids Award
Canadians can further get involved when Children's Aid Foundation of Canada hands out the inaugural national Stand Up for Kids Award, which will recognize an extraordinary Canadian individual or initiative that has made an indelible mark on the child welfare landscape. The award will serve to showcase the recipient's dedication, service, contributions or extraordinary measures taken to improve the lives of abused, abandoned or neglected children and youth. A call for nominations from the public will be announced next year.
About Children's Aid Foundation of Canada
Children's Aid Foundation of Canada is the country's leading national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth in the child welfare system. All children have the right to become healthy, contributing members of society. Our kids need your help to get there. They depend on us. We depend on you. Join us and help Canada's most vulnerable kids break the cycle and define a vision for themselves of a successful future. Learn more at cafdn.org
SOURCE Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
Laura Scutaru, NATIONAL Public Relations, [email protected], 416-586-1964
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