CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF CENTRAL MANITOBA

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES OF CENTRAL MANITOBA

FOUNDATION, INC.

25 - 3rd STREET S.E., PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MANITOBA, R1N 1N1

Alan Schroeder - President

Kathleen Jones - Secretary-Treasurer

Phone: 204-857-8751

A Little History

The Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba Foundation Inc. is a public Foundation as defined by Revenue Canada. Its objects and goals relate specifically to the best interests of children and families who reside in the Central Region of the Province of Manitoba. The Foundation was established on April 30, 1993 using private funds from the old Childrenís Aid Society of Central MB. Because of its close association with Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba (previously known as the Childrenís Aid Society), the Foundation has made a priority of funding many programs and services operated by the Agency. However, applications are open to other organizations who meet the funding criteria of the Foundation. With the financial base provided by the private fund, the support of local United Ways and generous donations, the Foundation supports children and families across the Central Region.

Our Vision Statement is "because kids matter!"

Our Mission is

To work in partnership with the community to provide opportunities that will enhance the well being of children.

Our Objects/Goals are

The advancement and improvement of child and family services, including preventive services; the advancement of child and family services, including research.
To enhance the lives of children and families in the Central Region of the Province of Manitoba in Canada, which territory is serviced by Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba in Canada, and to promote their well being and happiness.

Who can apply?

Charitable organizations registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency that operate within the Central Region of Manitoba.

Organizations must demonstrate a strong and committed board, fiscal responsibility and management qualifications.

Who cannot apply?

Individuals
Federal, provincial or municipal Government departments and school boards
Profit based organizations
Fundraising Events
Organizations or projects outside of the Central Region
Projects not solely or primarily focussed on children or families with children
Organizations looking for deficit or emergency operating funding
Capital projects unless they clearly support the objects of the Foundation
Organizations looking for on-going operating expenses

Criteria for Grant Decisions

The project must be completed within one year of approval.
The project must not duplicate existing services or it must demonstrate that the overlap is warranted.
The application must demonstrate clarity and viability of the project.
The application must demonstrate the on going effects/impact that will endure beyond the grant.
The project must address the underlying causes of problems in society rather than dealing only with the symptoms.
The project must be realistic and within the capacity of the organization to carry out.
The project must create opportunities, enhance well-being and develop potential in at risk children and their families.
The project must provide evidence of current need.

How to apply to the Foundation

Application forms are available from the Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba offices at 25-3^rd St. S.E. in Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1N1.

Application deadlines are February 1 and August 1 of each year. Late applications will be considered in the next round only at the written request of the applicant.

A Grants Committee will review your application. Please provide six copies of your application and all supporting documentation.

You may be required to appear before the Grants Committee to answer questions. You will be notified in advance if this is the case.

At the conclusion of the review the Grants Committee will bring its recommendations to the Board of the Foundation for approval.

Successfully meeting funding criteria does not guarantee funding. The Foundation allocates a specific amount to be spent annually. Where more applications are received than the Foundation is able to fund, requests will be prioritized by the Grants Committee.

Who is benefiting from the Foundation right now?

A. Children from communities across the Central Region

Chance 2 Camp

Chance 2 Camp is the core program funded by the Foundation and a project near and dear to our heart. Summer Camperships to a maximum of $250.00 per child are awarded to children who, because of economic circumstances in their families, would not otherwise have the opportunity for a summer camp experience. A university student coordinator for the program is hired annually in April by the Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba Agency. All schools in the Central Region are asked to refer potential campers to the program after discussion with their parents. In the summer of 2004, one hundred and twenty-three (123) children from the Central Region were supported to go to camp. The program is run by Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba but the childís family does not need to be involved with the Agency in any way to qualify. For applications forms and additional information, call 1-204-857-8751 and ask for the Chance 2 Camp Coordinator.

Arronís Chance 2 Play Hockey

chance 2 play hockey

Sometimes we all need a little help. When NHLíer Arron Asham was growing up, members of the community were there for him and supported his efforts on and off the ice. This new fund is in honour of these supporters and Arronís success. The goal of the program, is to provide hockey opportunities for area children despite the difficult economic circumstances of their families. The Foundation is particularly pleased to announce that we have received a grant in the amount of $10,000.00 from the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation with which to begin building the fund to support the program. Arronís donation to this program made the grant possible.

At Arronís request and because of the limited size of the fund, at this time applications are restricted to children who wish to participate in the Portage Minor Hockey system. The program is run by Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba, but the childís family does not need to be involved with the Agency in any way to qualify. For application forms and additional information, call 1-204-857-8751 and ask for Linda Watson-Bull.

B. Clients of agencies approved for funding

The Foundation does not pay for services that are the legitimate responsibility of Government. It does pay for programs and services that are provided by agencies that may be primarily funded by Government provided the service or program is not eligible for Government funding and the organization meets the criteria set by the Foundation for funding.

Annually Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba applies to the Foundation to support the following services to augment existing Government funded programs. For more information on Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba (the Agency), please visit our web site at www.cfofcentralmb.mb.ca

Vacation Allowance for children in care

An allocation of up to $50.00 per child is granted to foster parents if they are taking their foster child with them on a family vacation. The intent of this small grant is to assist foster parents with those special recreational costs incurred while on vacation. Occasionally a foster family will take a "once in a lifetime" trip and will request that the Agency cost share the foster childís expenses to enable them to participate. This Agency strongly supports foster parents in decisions that include foster children as members as their family and will apply to the Foundation to make it possible for the child to be included.

* Emergency Assistance

Child and Family Services After-Hours Emergency staff occasionally encounter families who have an immediate critical need related to the care of their children (i.e. diapers, milk, and groceries). Where no other means of getting money is immediately available, staff are able to access a small fund to ensure the immediate well-being of the children. These dollars are only allocated with supervisory authority.

* Foster Family Christmas Party

Each year the Agency, with funding from the Foundation and in partnership with many businesses across the Central Region, organizes a banquet and activity evening for foster children and their foster families across the region. The business community also donates numerous gifts of toys for the many children who attended the banquet. Christmas is a difficult time for children who are separated from their families. This special evening brings a smile to the face of every child in attendance and helps them to forget for a moment the circumstances that have caused them to be in care.

* Tuition for former Wards

From time to time across the region, the Agency has permanent wards who leave care and continue with studies at University or Community College. For children who are in the care of an Agency, leaving care with no family to return to is one of the most anxiety-provoking times in their lives. Social Workers assist children leaving care in planning for the future. Funds to cover tuition from the Foundation are one way in which they are supported to move forward and to become productive members of society.

* Bursaries

Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba encourages students to come to the Central Region to do Bachelor of Social Work field studies with the Agency through its application to the Foundation to support bursaries on an annual basis. A bursary of up to $500.00 is available to senior B.S.W. students at the University of Manitoba or other schools offering social work programs. The fund also includes money to provide a Performance Bursary to the Summer Campership Co-ordinator at the conclusion of their summer employment with the Agency.

* Other

From time to time the Agency applies to the Foundation to support individual situations within families which may arise from time to time and where the fund is the only available option. Some examples in the past have been violin lessons for a gifted child who would not otherwise have been able to afford them, sports equipment to promote interest and activity for children who have no other recreational avenues, etc.

For the last five years the Carman Family Resource Centre has received funding in the amount of $1000.00 in support of programs and services focused on children and families in Carman and the surrounding area.

because kids matter

United Way

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