PROVIDING CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUN, GROWTH AND LEARNING

Leveling the playing field by providing enriching experiences for children and youth with mental health problems.

Kinark Foundation's Child and Youth Enrichment Fund supports activities to help children and youth with mental health problems build self-esteem, confidence and skills for success. Many of these young people have a very hard time making and keeping friends and they feel uncomfortable in new surroundings. They are often excluded from social situations so don't have the growth opportunities that other kids have.

The Child and Youth Enrichment Fund supports costs associated with sports, arts, academic tutoring, family recreation activities and other enrichment opportunities for children and youth participating in Kinark programs or similar initiatives sponsored by other children's mental health organizations. All enrichment activities will support therapeutic goals (e.g. stay in school, relationship building skills). Funding may also be directed to life skills training for at-risk youth, breakfast programs, sports and recreation equipment, camp programs and projects that give young people with mental health problems an opportunity to express their unique perspectives and connect with other youth.

The Child and Youth Enrichment Fund will benefit children and youth with significant social, emotional or behavioural problems, particularly those from families with limited resources, by providing opportunities to build self-esteem and social skills and by helping young people reach their full potential.

How can you help?

$250 provides sporting equipment to enable a child to join a local hockey team.

$400 provides a hot breakfast for a month for eight children attending a day treatment program.

$500 provides tutoring for a youth who dropped out of school to help get his GED (high school equivalent diploma) in order to pursue post-secondary education.

$750 sends a child to day camp for two weeks, or overnight camp for one week, including two pairs of shoes, a sleeping bag and a backpack.

If you would like to provide enrichment opportunities to improve the quality of life of children and youth with emotional or behavioural problems, please click here to make a donation.