The community demand for Child Welfare Services continues to increase while budgets to fund these services do not. The Children's Aid Society of the County of Simcoe is a transfer payment agency. What this means is that the government contracts with us to uphold its legislation and provides us with a large portion of the money required to do so. The remainder comes from the local municipalities - in our case the cities of Barrie and Orillia and the County of Simcoe. However, there are many services that we feel are both necessary and important for the well being of the children of our community for which we must provide our own funding through various fundraising activities.
These services are outlined as follows:
Financial assistance is provided to families we serve and to children in our care, to help defray the costs of nursery school fees, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, unexpected medical transportation costs and/or supplies, registration fees for local sports teams, special sports equipment, bicycles, and other extras that government funding does not cover, or any other costs involved with promoting a healthier environment in which children may live.
Every year the Simcoe County Children's Aid Society holds a Christmas Party for many of the families and all the children in their care. All costs for this event are covered by donations from the community, and our Agency works very hard to ensure that each child has a special gift and a memorable time in celebration of the season. We also conduct a family sponsorship program to help the families we serve who are financially stressed, to provide a nutritious dinner and special gifts for their children. We match these families with sponsors who want to lend their support through the Christmas season.
We are committed to the belief that a summer camp experience can be a positive, rewarding and healthy time for a child, particularly if that child is disadvantaged. For some children this can be the only vacation they ever have. We are able to send children in our care as well as children of protection families to local camps, as long as we have the continued financial assistance of generous supporters.
Each year in June, our Agency holds a special picnic in a centrally located park for all the families and children we work with in the County. All members of the staff and Board help organize special games and activities for the children as well as cook hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. It has been a very exciting event each year and one that we feel has a positive effect in the social life of many of our children.
All money raised in agency fund-raising events is used in various Child Abuse Prevention initiatives throughout the year, such as purchasing videos, literature on abuse to use for classroom presentations, developing parenting skills information for protection families and others, and operating Recovery Groups to help those who have been abused,protect themselves from becoming re-victimized. It has also been used to fund a program to help prepare children for the court appearances where they will be testifying against their abusers, and a school based service to children who need help with conflict resolution, anger management, and self-esteem. All administration costs for organizing these events and overseeing these funds is absorbed by the regular Agency administration costs, ensuring that all donations go directly to the families and children they are meant to serve.
The Children's Aid Society offices throughout the County welcome your support and involvement in its commitment to the well being of our communities' children. You can help by becoming more involved as a volunteer, a foster parent, or a member of the Children's Aid Society, or by making a donation.