TORONTO, ON, Tuesday, April 6, 2021—The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is using the 10th anniversary of the Kids Helping Kids Fund (KHK) to launch Say Yes! to Kids—a campaign to raise $100,000 to fund post-pandemic programs for children, youth, and young adults in Canada. Scheduled to run from April 5 to June 30, the campaign will be supported by a variety of fundraising initiatives including an online peer-to-peer program designed to engage youth advocates nationwide.
“At AFC we have heard the growing concern about COVID-19’s potential long-term impact on children and youth,” says Judy Rois, Executive Director. “We want to mobilize Canadian Anglicans to respond courageously, creatively, and compassionately to emerging needs.” Rois says she is deeply concerned about young people who are facing setbacks due to school disruptions, absence of recreational activities, and loss of the depth and variety of in-person relationships with peers, extended family, and caring adults in the community.
“Through this campaign AFC will fund initiatives that help young people rise above cycles of poverty and hardship,” says Canon Rois. “With the support of Canadian Anglicans, we will invest in a brighter future with better learning outcomes, diverse enrichment opportunities, improved health and well-being, and restored faith and community connections.”
Since 2011, and the launch of KHK, AFC has championed the cause of children, youth, and young adults in Canada with investments totaling over $1,087,000. “From hospice care to homework clubs to breakfast programs and summer camps, the past decade has given AFC a hopeful view of our church’s capacity to support outreach to young people,” says Rois. “We have seen how resources can be used through people and partnerships to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and youth.”
Rois says AFC will rely on the strength of its granting program to quickly turnaround campaign proceeds by funding a Request for Proposals (RFP) for youth-focused initiatives in fall 2021. “After five cycles of RFP funding AFC has seen the power of catalytic philanthropy in action and how it stimulates creativity and innovation,” says Rois. “Reaching our $100,000 goal means Say Yes! to Kids will enable AFC’s most impactful RFP to date.”
Even as health and social policy experts continue to count pandemic-related losses for children and youth, Canon Rois urges Canadian Anglicans not to feel helpless or powerless. “So much good work is done across this country by faith communities who mobilize caring volunteers for compassionate service. By putting the right investments in the right hands, AFC can help fund a meaningful response to the needs of children and youth in a post-pandemic world.”
For more information email [email protected]. To join a Say Yes! to Kids fundraising team, or to make an individual donation to the campaign, visit www.anglicanfoundation.org/kids.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
The Rev. Canon Dr. Judy Rois, Executive Director
Anglican Foundation of Canada
Phone: (416) 358-8094
Email: [email protected]
