Local Charities Supporting Families: How You Can Get Involved
As a parent, I know how challenging yet rewarding raising a family can be. That's why I'm passionate about supporting organizations that strengthen families and create more opportunities for children and parents. Today, I want to highlight three incredible charities in our community that are doing just that.
1. Community Living
The first is Community Living, which provides person-centered services to support people living with intellectual disabilities. Their vision is "Celebrating individuality through boundless opportunities." How powerful is that?
Community Living offers several key programs like Family Support Services and Weekend Respite Services for children. The respite services give families a break by providing a safe, nurturing environment for kids while parents get some much-needed rest and rejuvenation. They have an amazing team of compassionate staff ensuring all needs are met with personal care, interventions, daily living assistance, and encouraging skill development.
One of their core values is that service availability is based on need, not ability to pay. Nobody should be left in a crisis alone. How incredible that they make their services accessible to all families who need it most.
Get Involved:
Another wonderful initiative is their Volunteer Opportunities program. Volunteering with Community Living allows you to make a positive impact by breaking down barriers, sharing skills, and developing new friendships with families.
It's an incredibly rewarding experience to expand someone's social network who may otherwise never meet you. You can get involved by assisting with programming, providing reception support, or even just spending quality time engaging with participants.
Contact Informational:
Address: Administration Offices & Employment Services, 191 South Service Road, Grimsby, ON, L3M 4H6
Phone: 905-563-4115
Fax: 905-309-3595
Email: info@cl-grimsbylincoln.ca
2. Family Supports Institute Ontario
Next is the Family Supports Institute Ontario (FSIO), which enhances the well-being of families with young children across the province. Their purpose is to promote best practices for family support workers, increase professional recognition, connect colleagues, and influence family-friendly policies.
A core part of FSIO's work is advocating for families during the ongoing transition to the new Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centers. They are giving family support practitioners a voice at the table to ensure the guiding principles of family support are upheld. This means maintaining that crucial dual focus on healthy child development and supporting the needs of parents/caregivers too.
The organization provides so many valuable resources, like professional learning opportunities, practice resources, research, and networking events, for the family support community. Through position statements, policy documents, and more, FSIO helps shape best practices that truly nurture the whole family.
Get Involved:
For families, getting involved with FSIO is a great way to influence positive change. You can donate to support their advocacy efforts to ensure family-centered policies. You can also attend their conferences, workshops, or networking events to connect with the family support community. Additionally, families can participate in FSIO's research studies to further their understanding of effective family support.
Contact Information:
Email: info@canadahelps.org
Phone: (416) 628-6948 (Toronto Area), (877) 755-1595 (toll-free in North America)
Mailing Address: 186 Spadina Avenue, Units 1‑5, Toronto, ON, M5T 3B2
3. Niagara Foundation for Family and Children's Services (FACS)
Finally, the Niagara Foundation for Family and Children's Services (FACS) raises funds and awareness to help FACS Niagara support vulnerable children, youth, and families in the region. While FACS provides protection services and core programming, the Foundation raises money for enriching extras that public funding can't cover.
With community donations, FACS can send kids to summer camps, provide opportunities for youth job training and skills development, make upgrades to their facilities, and meet other crucial needs during the holidays or transitional times in a child's life. The Foundation relies on generous cash gifts but also gratefully accepts gifts-in-kind like new supplies, prom dresses, apartment essentials, and unique experiential items for auction fundraisers.
Get Involved:
There are so many amazing ways for families to get involved with the FACS Foundation. Their LemonAID fundraiser allows kids to operate a lemonade stand in their neighborhood, with proceeds benefiting FACS children. Families can also donate birthdays or other celebrations, start their own community fundraisers, or attend glitzy annual gala events like the upcoming Springtime in Paris-themed gala.
Contact Information:
Address: 82 Hannover Drive, P.O. Box 24028, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P7
Charitable Registration Number: 86938 9148 RR0001
Telephone: (905) 937-7731 ext. 3290
As you can see, these three organizations are doing truly meaningful work to strengthen families in our community. I'm in awe of their commitment to creating more opportunities, breaking down barriers, and changing lives. While their missions are unique, they share the common goal of nurturing families and the beautiful diversity within them.
I encourage you to learn more about Community Living, FSIO, and the Niagara Foundation for FACS. Whether through volunteering your time, making a donation, or simply spreading awareness, your support can make a powerful difference for local families. Our communities are stronger when families have the resources and services to thrive.
