Children who have been abused and people experiencing a crisis can use a boost, in CAA's opinion.
Executive directors Janet Handy of The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara and Stacy Terry of the Distress Centre Niagara each received a cheque for $10,000 from CAA Niagara’s Community Boost funding Thursday afternoon.
The two charities were chosen from more than 50 that applied to receive this year’s Community Boost funding.
With AC/DC’s hit song, Thunder, playing loudly and fog flowing for dramatic effect, two brand new flatbed trucks emerged from CAA Niagara’s Thorold garage, one painted with the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre logo and the second revealing the Distress Centre’s new logo.
“The impact of seeing the trucks is phenomenal,” said Terry. “This is one of the first unveilings of our new logo. We’ve had the same logo for 40 years.”
For 49 years, the Distress Centre has helped provide free, confidential suicide and crisis prevention through 24-7 telephone counselling, she added.
“The resources and generosity of Niagara’s charitable community, through funding the United Way and other groups like CAA extending their special grant through the Community Boost program” enable “our highly-skilled volunteers and staff to ensure that we tirelessly extend a safety net” when people are experiencing crisis; “more than 15,000 calls that come into our site every year.”
The partnership with CAA, she continued, will be used to train volunteers, “and the exposure to our rolling billboards and CAA’s services is a boost to people in distress.”
Comparing the two agencies for both assisting people in crisis, she concluded, “We are very touched by this generous opportunity.”
Handy said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara.
Without access to the centre, “Children may have to talk about their experiences up to seven times” during a child abuse investigation, she explained. “The beauty of the centre is” that police, child welfare and mental health personnel all work as partners, “and that means the child comes and tells their story once” in “a very child-friendly place. The centre is totally focused on youth.”
By minimizing their trauma, said Handy, “We can change the course of a child’s life. We look to the future to help children overcome that abuse. For 10 years, we have raised funds and this $10,000 boost is incredible,” she continued. “We were one of the first in Canada and now there are six in Ontario and 40 in the country. We know that children feel like they actually have a team on their side and the parents can have help in a very traumatic experience, too. We are building our youth outreach services, especially expanding our human trafficking awareness for youth.”
In addition to funding, both charities will receive promotion through the CAA magazine, social media and community events platform, and a wrapped flatbed truck. CAA members will be encouraged to support the two chosen charities through a “text to give” program. The two branded flatbed trucks are scheduled to hit the road by the end of May, each displaying a unique telephone member, which members of the community can text to support the two charities.
Based on feedback from CAA employees and members, funding preference was given to charities dedicated to community safety, programming for seniors and children, social services and mental health. The selection committee, comprised of CAA employees, was tasked with choosing only two charities to support.
Founded in 1911 as the St. Catharines Automobile Club with just 16 members, CAA Niagara has grown to include more than 135,000 members with five locations. A not-for-profit agency, CAA Niagara provides emergency road services, travel, insurance and member rewards.
The public can also help as the trucks carry messages on how anyone can donate to these two worthwhile causes:
The truck wrapped for the Distress Centre notes: "Text LISTEN to 45678 to donate $5."
The truck wrapped for the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre notes: "Text YOUTH to 20222 to donate $5."
