FACS News

Where did the year go? We’ve been so busy the last few months, it seems to have flown by! Between having our first float in the Santa Claus Parades, hosting walk night at Gift of Lights at Bingemans, toy drives and community fundraisers, it’s been go go go! And while we still have time left in the month, we want to pause and say thank you.

Every year, we are amazed by the generosity of this community and for the way you show up for children, youth and families. Whether it’s sharing our posts on social, volunteering, hosting a fundraiser, or making a donation, we are honoured that you choose us to support.

We know there is a lot of need and a lot of organizations doing great work in Waterloo Region. That’s why it means so much to us that you care about preventing child abuse and neglect by supporting families and enriching communities. We say it often, but we mean it:

It takes a village and we are so glad you are part of our village!

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In 2017, the Ontario Child Welfare sector unanimously agreed to prioritize reconciliation with Indigenous communities through nine key commitments created as a direct response to implement TRC Calls to Action 1 - 5 (see 94 Calls to Above). Each Children’s Aid Society (CAS) has committed to: Reduce the number of Indigenous children in care. Reduce the number of legal files involving Indigenous children and families. Increase the use of formal customary care agreements. Ensure Indigenous representation and involvement at the local Board of Directors. Implement mandatory Indigenous training for staff. Change their inter-agency protocol to include Jordan’s Principle as a...

Jamie has spent the last two summers wishing he could do something other than hang out at home. The pandemic measures seriously restricted his opportunities to be with his friends as well as all kinds of activities, including summer camp. He’s bored and wants to go to a martial arts camp with his buddies.

But his family can’t afford it. Things have gotten more expensive and his parents just can’t make it work.

To a child, family is everything. Family is where children learn to love and where they are nurtured. The evidence makes it clear that children do best with their families. But what do we mean by family? How each of us defines family is highly personal – you can be born into family or create your own. As an agency, how we define family is extremely broad and reflects who children feel close to and who they consider to be their family, blood ties or not. This is extremely important when it comes to supporting Indigenous families who are deeply...

On October 8th, Nicole Bonnie, CEO of the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies, released a statement that after almost 30 years, Child Abuse Prevention Month was no more. What started as an education campaign about identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect had unintended consequences. Read about this and more in our most recent Community Update.