Education
Education should be considered a necessity and not a privilege. Many abused, neglected and high-risk children lag behind their peers in school and are much more likely to drop out before graduating. Support programs are needed to help them complete the education that is essential for them to achieve adult independence.
For well over a decade, the Children's Aid Foundation has had a comprehensive educational strategy to level the playing field for these disadvantaged children and youth. Our Education programs aim to provide them with opportunities to catch up to their peers, stay in school and where possible, work toward obtaining a post-secondary education.
Our support is directed into three major areas:
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Preschool programming to help kids get ready to learn
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Programs and incentives for success in elementary and high school
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Financial support for those who continue onto post-secondary education
Program Highlight - Stay In School Awards
The Stay in School program offers rewards to abused, neglected and high-risk children and youth for improvements in attendance, behaviour, attitude, marks and grades. It also provides incentives to achieve the milestones of Grade 8 and Grade 12 graduation. During the 2006/07 fiscal year, 5,000 Stay In School Awards were awarded across Canada in recognition of the academic achievements of children and youth in care.
Program Highlight - Scholarships
Through a competitive review process, a number of scholarships are awarded to exceptional youth in care each year. The process is based on a combination of academic achievement, personal community contribution and financial need. Each year an Award Committee, compromised of individuals with expertise in child welfare and education, meet to rank and review the applications. To many of our students, a scholarship provides the means to achieve higher education. During the 2006/07 fiscal year, 85 scholarships were awarded.
* At this time the Children's Aid Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. *
For more information on Education programs please contact Patricia Kemp at pkemp@cafdn.org or 416-923-0924 x228