Mission:
The CFSGE Foundation, in partnership with our generous community, raises funds and resources to support programs that enhance the safety, well-being, equity, inclusion, and confidence of children, youth, and families served by Child and Family Services of Grand Erie. We prioritize supporting initiatives aligned with CFSGE’s strategic goals and extend beyond the funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services.
Communities Served
Brantford | Brant | Haldimand | Norfolk | Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
The Realities:
Poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, isolation, and intergenerational trauma are a few of the most common reasons children are involved with Child and Family Services of Grand Erie. None of these issues are the fault or responsibility of the child, yet children are affected in tremendous ways. The CFSGE Foundations hopes, with the help of our community, that we can impact these circumstances for the better, for the children.
National statistics show that young people whose circumstances generate involvement with a Children’s Aid Society also face profound ongoing barriers to success, stability, and well-being:
Less than 50% of youth involved with a CAS graduate from high school.
They are also nearly 200 times more likely to experience homelessness.
These issues compound such that, these kids are significantly more likely to experience underemployment and low income.
Together with our community of donors we are committed to helping kids access the tools, resources, and supports they need to overcome the odds stacked against them.
The Foundation’s Focus:
In response to the above statistics and in consideration of the expressed needs of those in the CFSGE community, The Foundation focuses its support in the following 5 areas:
Below we recognize the high impact donors for each of those categories.
Unrestricted donations are greatly needed to allow funding to be directed to the areas of greatest need that will enable more children and youth to thrive.
We understand that your philanthropic intentions may want to focus on specific areas of interest, so we have broken down our areas of focus accordingly.
Ensuring children involved with CFSGE who graduate high school and wish to peruse post-secondary education can, as well as children in all stages of learning is a prime focus for the Foundation.
The CFSGE Foundation awards Educational Bursaries to youth in Extended Society Care who are entering post-secondary education each year. In 2023 this was for 9 students.
In 2023, the following additional education bursaries were awarded on behalf of local community supports:
T. Dixon Moor Award – presented to a youth who was in Extended Society Care and is over the age of 21 years who has attained a significant level of personal improvement, including educational and vocational achievement.
Andrew Koster Scholarship Award – awarded to one undergraduate or graduate-level Social Work (university) student or one Social Services Worker (community college) student who is/had been in the care of CFSGE.
Helen Nicolas Leitch MacWilliam Award– awarded to one current/former youth in Extended Society Care at CFSGE, between the ages of 18-24, who has exceeded the community volunteer requirements required by the Ministry of Education.
Educational Support Bursary – Awarded to youth in Extended Society Care who require further financial assistance while at school for living expenses, books or tuition.
If you would like to create a bursary to support the post-secondary needs of youth involved with CFSGE, please fill in this form: Click Here
Back-To-School Supply Drive: Ensuring kids return to school with the essentials needed to start the year prepared, inspired and with dignity.
New Parent Learning: CFSGE’s Child Development Unit facilitates ongoing Community-based interactive activities designed to enhance understanding of children’s needs during their early years of development, emphasizing the promotion of child-parent connections and working with families to recognize their competence and capacity as the child(ren)’s first and most important teacher.
High Impact Donors
For many of the kids involved with CFSGE, poverty is reality. Having the opportunities to partake in quintessential childhood moments that many of their peer’s experience, would otherwise not be possible without the help of the CFSGE Foundation and its donor community.
Summer Camp: Funding the camp experience for hundreds of CFSGE community kids each year according to their interests and specified needs.
Annual Day Trip: Outings our Foster Families and/or Youth Living Independently take together as a means of community building.
Extra-Curricular Activities: Helping kids get involved in their communities, towards their interests.
Community Events: Initiatives put on by the Child Development Unit at CFSGE such as neighbourhood BBQs and Summer Carnivals provide children the opportunity to make local friends and exemplify the agency’s commitment to building stronger community bonds.
High Impact Donors
Many youth involved with CFSGE need assistance in the launch into independent living. As with all young adults, having a network of support, a foundation of learning and a helping-hand along the way can make all the difference in this transition.
Independent Living Starter Kit: A collection of cookware, cutlery, dishes, bedding, cleaning supplies and basic toiletries to help youth transition to independent living. (See this list for preferred items)
Life Skills Education: Ensuring youth have the tools they need as they enter independence and the workforce to both build their confidence and their resume.
Holiday Meals: A gathering of youth involved and previously involved with CFSGE to celebrate special occasions, check-in and network.
High Impact Donors
CFSGE is committed to working with families in respectful ways that embrace and celebrate the diversity of families, children and youth. The Foundation supports these efforts, by funding the following programs.
Black Hair and Skin Kits: Ensuring black children and youth have the right products to care for their hair and skin care needs to help maintain their pride and sense of belonging.
Menstrual Hygiene Kits: Providing the necessary sanitary, hygiene and personal care items for those in need. on a regular basis so they can continue to attend school and work with dignity.
Fill-A-Bag: Supporting families and youth in need with personal care, laundry, hygiene, and household cleaners as a means to help them stretch their dollars further for food and housing.
Welcome Baby Baskets: Containing vital items such as baby essentials, child-safety products, clothing, blankets, safe sleep guidance, infant feeding supplies, personal care items, and more to ensure baby and caregiver have the essentials and can concentrate on building their relationship.
Community Meals: Weekly food hampers distributed in identified neighbourhoods to support families in need.
Season of Sharing: Ensuring children and youth receive holiday gifts and warm tidings each winter.
Compassion Kits: A knapsack of overnight comfort items to help kids transition homes with dignity.
High Impact Donors
CFSGE is committed to embedding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action into their operational policies and practices. The Foundation and its generous donors fund these efforts in the following ways:
Indigenous Fund: A range of culturally significant events that play a vital role in strengthening community bonds, encouraging cultural teachings, and learning, and fostering a sense of belonging that ensure that Indigenous children and youth have access to culturally enriching experiences that strengthen their sense of identity and community, organized by the Indigenous Services Team at CFSGE.
Indigenous Activity Baskets: Specific products needed by caregivers to ensure that the sacred medicines and other significant items of daily life are available in the homes where Indigenous children stay.
Indigenous Cultural Advisor: CFSGE hopes in the near future to have a role within the Indigenous Services Team to support the specific spiritual, emotional and cultural needs of Indigenous children involved with CFSGE. If you are interested in supporting the funding for this role, please reach out to Giving@cfsge.ca
High Impact Donors
