| Children and Youth |
Inner City Youth Alive The world today is focused on international issues. Often in a situation like this, we can overlook the problems facing us in our own country. Crime, drugs, violence and gangs are a growing concern in specific areas such as the inner city of Winnipeg. Much has been written regarding the gang violence and unrest amongst these inner city kids and especially those of Native Heritage. Your gift has been directed to an organization addressing this situation. Inner City Youth Alive is the organization to which I have chosen to donate the Brendan Wood and a matching gift. Sponsored by the Mennonite Church, ICYA’s mission is “Bringing hope and a future through Christ to youth and their families in the inner city." ICYA seeks to apply Christian principles and values by striving to change the daily lives of inner city, disenfranchised youth. The ICYA’s passion is to add value to lives experiencing a serious hope deficit. - Bruce Friesen
Hands of Hope for Children In the summer of 1999, two teachers drove to Guatemala from Newmarket, Ontario. They left the vehicle there, donating it to a dentist. That vehicle became a mobile dental clinic. One of those teachers was Sean O’Connor. He had been teaching at a school in our community for several years. I was emotional when I heard of his adventure. He believed he could make a difference and he did. I believe that all children should have a chance in life. They should not be hungry, cold or deprived of medication or schooling. Hands of Hope for Children was created upon the teachers returning from Guatemala. Many schools in our region are helping the project. Area residents are helping by making school kits, health kits and also contributing to the vitamin campaign. I love it that children are helping children. Hands of Hope for Children is helping many children and is giving them a chance at living a healthier life. This is why I chose to give your generous donation to this local organization that I am passionate about. - Lise Case
Sean Lynch Memorial Trust This is a trust fund that has been set up for the children of an options broker at Cantor Fitzgerald in NY, who perished on Sept.11. Sean was not my primary coverage but he worked closely with my broker and picked up the line every now and then. He had two children under three years old at the time of the attack, and his wife was seven months pregnant. She now has three kids under three, with very little financial means since Sean did not have any extra insurance. The fund will be used towards their education. Fredrik Nilsson Talents Within My husband and I recently had the opportunity to meet Paula Schultz, the inspirational person behind “Talents Within”. This Toronto based charity helps high-risk children develop a sense of self, discouraging them from pursuing avenues harmful to both themselves and others. Talents Within does this through helping the children develop a talent whether it be in the athletic, artistic or environmental arena. The forum for these activities is a six week long summer camp, a time where high-risk kids, without the constraints of school, can easily get distracted. This charity is a young one, and our donation, was received with much gratitude. I hope the children of this summer’s camp develop the “Talent Within” which makes the right decisions so much easier to see. And once again to Brendan Wood International, thank you so much for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. - Tamara Bassilios and Juan Graham
Christian Children’s Fund of Canada I've sent your $250 cheque to the Christian Children's Fund Of Canada.It's a charity which I already support by "adopting" a needy child in the Third World and supporting that child on a monthly basis. But in this case it's a special appeal to feed/care for kids in Afghanistan. And CIDA is matching donations received before year-end fourfold! So your $250 is actually raising $1,250 for Afghani work at this time. - Alfred Wirth
YMCA Camp Kitchikewana’s Sponsorship Fund When given the opportunity this past Christmas to make a contribution to a valued charity, I immediately decided to forward this generous gift to YMCA Camp Kitchikewana’s Sponsorship Fund. Growing up, I was lucky enough to spend 13 summers as both a camper and staff at the camp and wanted to take this opportunity to give back to the camp that provided me with so many fond memories and experiences. The Kitchi Sponsorship Fund was created to help send children to camp whose parents may be at an economic disadvantage. Over the last number of years, donations from camp alumni, local area business and other private individuals has helped to send an average of 50 kids to Kitchi for a summer camp experience they will likely never forget. The camp is located on Beausoleil Island near Honey Harbour, Ontario. Each summer more than 600 children participate in a memorable camping experience. As a YMCA facility, Camp Kitchikewana’s programs are based on the YMCA mission of developing individuals and communities in spirit, mind and body. The mission of the camp is to facilitate personal growth, challenge campers to learn about themselves and others and promote acceptance among all participants. - Jeff Colley
Centennial Infant and Child Centre I want to tell you about an amazing school for handicapped children, Centennial Infant and Child Centre which will receive the generous contribution from Brendan Wood International. The Lazarus Fund is a very apt model for this school. This is a place of resurrection. A place where those otherwise ignored or disregarded find hope and a chance to develop. Before it was founded in 1967, children born with Downs Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and other physical and mental disabilities were more often than not considered a family burden, rather than a special gift. They were pushed into the background, often literally and very little was done for their mental and physical development. An amazing woman, Pat Littlejohn, to whom had been born a handicapped child, had nowhere to turn and could not find assistance anywhere so she started a very special school which in the intervening years has become a beacon of hope and enlightened development. Each school year 25 children are enrolled in a tailor made curriculum cut to fit the individual needs of each child. There are speech therapists, physiotherapists and five specially trained teachers. What makes this school really unique are the volunteers. 125 incredible people are needed each week so that each child has a dedicated person to work with them. A weekly swim program in a therapeutic pool encourages physical and muscular development. As important, and equally as innovative, is Centennial’s Infant Program, a no charge “at home” service which last year attended to the special needs of 275 newborns and babies up to two years old. The Infant Program employs public health nurses, occupational therapists and special resource teachers to help parents of children at risk of being developmentally delayed due to low birth weight, genetic and chromosomal abnormalities, neurological impairments or other conditions. Picture yourself fresh home from the hospital with a very special child and not knowing where to turn and one of Centennial’s Infant Program specialists showing up at your door. Money is always important. Volunteers are even more important. With each child requiring a one on one relationship we can never have too many dedicated people to help these very special children. Brendan Wood International’s very generous donation will be well and efficiently used. - Ray Brackstone
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