NEWS RELEASE
INNISFIL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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Innisfil’s most vulnerable youth will be warm and dry this winter thanks to a $25,000-grant from the Innisfil Community Foundation to Community 4 Kids.
Community 4 Kids’ winter clothing program is one of their largest outreach programs and the rising cost of coats and boots has significantly increased their growing expenses. Their winter clothing costs escalated from just over $9,000 in 2020 to a staggering $33,000 in 2023.
"For 30 years, Community 4 Kids has been growing and expanding its services to support vulnerable families in Innisfil. By working closely with schools, churches, and social service agencies, we've developed year-round programs such as Easter baskets, backpacks, school shoes, warm clothing, Thanksgiving hampers, and emergency assistance. While Christmas is a key time to help, families face challenges all year, especially in today's tough economy,” says Myrlene Boken, Community 4 Kids’ president.
Last year they purchased 333 coats and 297 pairs of boots for Innisfil children, a number that continues to rise. Community 4 Kids now assists more than 700 families throughout the year.
“We are especially grateful to the Innisfil Community Foundation for supporting our warm clothing program, one of our largest and most vital initiatives. It not only keeps children warm but also helps maintain their self-esteem, ensuring they aren't labelled as ‘the poor child’ on the playground with ill-fitting, worn-out jackets.”
This past April, they changed their name from Christmas 4 Kids to Community 4 Kids to better reflect their year-round mission and the essential contributions from the Innisfil community that make their programs possible.
“We know more Innisfil families than ever before are turning to Community 4 Kids for assistance due to the rising cost of living,” says Sandra Rizzardo, chair of the Innisfil Community Foundation board of directors. “Their winter clothing program is critical for families struggling in our community. We are proud to play a role in ensuring that no child in Innisfil goes without the necessary clothing to stay warm and healthy during the cold months.”
Created from partnerships with the Town of Innisfil and the Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corp., Innisfil Community Foundation is committed to fostering relationships within Innisfil. ICF aims to be a true partner to the organizations working hard to make the community a better place – this means developing relationships with community organizations to fully understand their needs and impact. This approach allows ICF to help organizations establish new partnerships to meet their goals and to expand on its support.
Community 4 Kids, is a registered charity that assists vulnerable children, teens and their families, throughout the year. They help make holidays, special occasions, and back-toschool a little brighter for those who need a helping hand.
Innisfil Community Foundation is here to strengthen the common good. The foundation makes trust-based community grants to empower the organizations that work tirelessly in our community. Innisfil Community Foundation is passionate about connecting our community because we know that, together, we will create positive change beyond our wildest dreams.
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