OTTAWA, Sept. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) held its 119th Annual General Meeting at the Pineview Municipal Golf Course.
The Board's Secretary Treasurer highlighted the Society's positive financial results for the prior year, and celebrated a number of accomplishments. He stated that due to the changes in how we provide services as a result of the Provincial Transformation Initiative and local strategies, the Society is supporting more children who live within their families or extended families. As well, when children are permanently in our care, they obtain lifelong connections through adoptive families. This past year, the Society has had a record number of older children and sibling group adoptions.
Since 2004, the Board of Directors has been recognizing organizations and individuals who have been exemplary in their efforts to support children, youth and families. Four categories make up this award presentation, emphasizing collaboration and partnership.
The Community Organization Award, given to an organization that has in the spirit of collaboration and partnership supported the objectives of the Society through their work, was presented to Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services.
CASO is committed to working effectively with families affected by addictions to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of children.
Since 1976 Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services has been providing a range of treatment programs in both French and English for adults, youths and their family members. With their extensive knowledge and experience, Rideauwood was the perfect partner for CAS as we took our initial steps in examining our practices and making changes.
The Champion Donor Award is presented to an organization or individual that has generously contributed resources to the Society and those it serves. This years' award was presented to Lowes.
The Society provides opportunities for children who are temporarily in our care to visit with their parents. These are important, but often anxious experiences for the children. Seeing the children's anxiety and worry, the volunteer department at CASO wanted to create an environment that would be child-friendly and help entertain children while they wait to see their family.
It took just one call to Lowes to make that happen. Lowes spent 180 hours designing, funding and building a child-friendly environment. This is just another example that it takes a community to raise a child.
The Service Provider Award, given to an individual who works for a service organization and has demonstrated through their actions that they are making a difference in the lives of a child or family while working in partnership with the Society was presented to Debbie Clark, Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Ensuring that children in care receive a high quality education is the foundation for improving their lives. They themselves have told us how important this is.
For the past several years Debbie has been an active member of the Educational Championship Team for youth with Crown wardship status and has been co-chair for the past two. Ms. Clark is principal of the Student Success Program which aims at meeting the needs, interests and strengths of all students, engaging them in learning and better preparing them for graduation and beyond. She is a very strong leader whose passion and dedication resonates with us all, especially the children and youth.
The Community Foster Parent Award is given to a Foster Family who is inspiring in their commitment to children they foster. This award was presented to Laurette Gravel.
Laurette started with the Children's Aid Society in 1996 with the Parent Model program as a single foster parent of teenage boys. Laurette is currently fostering 3 teenage boys and is welcoming of all youth. She accepts everybody for who they are, where they are at, and recognizes that each youth has challenges and many strengths too! Thank you Laurette for your dedication and commitment to youth!
The Society recognizes that at the heart of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa is a community. This is demonstrated through community members when reporting concerns, foster parents, volunteers, adoptive parents and community service partners. We are proud of the extraordinary work that has been done, both internally and at the provincial level. These positive steps will provide children and youth in care with more security and brighter futures. We look forward to the great achievements for the upcoming year.
Thank you to everyone for making a difference.
SOURCE: Children's Aid Society of Ottawa
Cindy R. Perron
Communications Advisor
The Children's Aid Society of Ottawa
(613) 747-7800 ext. 2227
www.casott.on.ca
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