$53,000 Awarded for Six Adoption Projects in BC
Aboriginal Children and Youth a Major Focus
VICTORIA, BC – December 5, 2013 – BC’s Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund has awarded a total of $53,000 for six projects to support adoption and permanency in BC.
The Adoptive Families Association of BC in Vancouver will receive $8,000 to develop an on-line adoption education program that is relevant and sensitive to Aboriginal culture and communities.
The Cariboo Chilcotin Metis Association of Williams Lake will use a $2,000 grant to host an information workshop to promote adoption and permanency opportunities for Métis youth.
CHOICES Adoption & Counseling Services of Victoria will receive $20,000 to raise awareness of permanency options for Aboriginal children and youth currently residing with foster families, in kinship placements, or in other arrangements in order to assist them to successfully transition to permanency in their current homes.
Carrier Sekani Family Services in Prince George has been granted $10,000 to host cultural camps that will bring children-in-care home to visit and reconnect with their traditional communities.
Northwest Inter-Nation Family and Community Services Society of Terrace will receive $5,000 to engage a liaison to assist children-in-care to develop connections with their traditional communities.
Victoria’s Youth in Care Network will use $8,000 to host networking meetings, community events, outreach activities and one-on-one support programs to provide youth-in-care with the skills and knowledge they need to plan their futures.
“The Trust congratulates this year’s grant recipients in their efforts to enhance the lives of children and youth in care. And, in addition, wishes to recognize the many years of service of retiring co-founder Sandra Scarth, who was recently awarded the Adoption Advocate of the Year by the North American Council on Adoptable Children.” – Geord Holland, Advisory Committee Chair
The Ministry of Children and Family Development established the independent Trust in 2003 to help British Columbia’s children and youth who are awaiting adoption or other permanent connections. The Trust is managed by the Victoria Foundation. In 2009, it was re-named to honour Lex Reynolds, the late lawyer and children’s advocate – and adoptive father – who was the fund’s founding co-chair.
The permanent endowment generates money to support organizations and individuals in finding and helping to maintain lifelong connections for BC’s children and youth.
“Children and youth need the support of a permanent family, and government is committed to working with its partner agencies to make that happen for the many children and youth awaiting adoption in B.C. The Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund invests in projects that help raise awareness about adoption, connect young people to their cultures and help them plan for their futures – projects that are making a difference in children’s lives every day.” – Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux
As of August 31 of this year, the MCFD reported there were over 4,000 children and youth in permanent-care in BC with more than 1,000 of them waiting for a permanent family.
Since 2003, the Trust has awarded nearly $900,000 to 172 adoption and permanency related projects across the province.
To make a donation, or to learn more about the Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund, visit www.connectingforlife.ca or contact the Victoria Foundation at 250-381-5532.
– 30 –
Background:
The Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund is administered by the Victoria Foundation under the guidance of a nine-person advisory committee appointed by the Adoption Council of Canada. Committee members promote the fund’s availability, evaluate applications and make granting recommendations.
The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development asked the Victoria Foundation to manage and distribute the Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund because of the foundation’s proven granting experience, administrative capabilities and prudent financial investment policy.
The Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second-oldest community foundation and its sixth largest. To date, it has invested more than $116 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities. Read more about The Victoria Foundation’s vision and mandate.
For more information, please contact:
Rory Grewar
Director of Special Funds, Victoria Foundation
250.381.5532 ext. #226
rgrewar@victoriafoundation.bc.ca
victoriafoundation.bc.ca