ABOUT ALGOMA FAMILY SERVICES FOUDATION

The Foundation was established in 1994 to provide funding for children's mental health programs and services in the Algoma District.
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ABOUT US

The Foundation has made a commitment to Algoma Family Services (AFS) to provide funding for early intervention and prevention programs no longer funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. The Foundation relies on the generosity of our community to help the important work of AFS.

Our Mission

Algoma Family Services Foundation is the only Foundation in the Algoma District dedicated to supporting the mission of Algoma Family Services by raising funds to support children with mental health problems and their families.

The Foundation promotes the services of Algoma Family Services to generate heightened community awareness of the specific needs of children with mental health problems and the programs and services available to assist them. Providing meaningful opportunities for the community to help resource mental health programs for children and youth in Algoma which would otherwise not be available through provincial funding. Engages in fundraising activities that ensure community respect and support for children with mental health problems and ensures strong stewardship in the management of all entrusted funds.

Fore more information please contact Algoma Family Services Foundation.

Our History

Algoma Child & Youth Services Foundation was established in 1994 to provide financial resources to support a range of children’s mental health programs and services offered through Algoma Child and Youth Services.

In 2001, Algoma Child & Youth Services Inc. and the Family Counseling Centre came together to form a new agency, Algoma Family Services (AFS).  During this time consuming process, the Foundation, now Algoma Family Services Foundation, provided funding to the new agency to specifically address the wait list for children’s mental health services.  This funding assists AFS in providing additional clinical assessments and counseling for children experiencing depression, fears and anxiety, anger, physical aggressiveness to others, school difficulties, witnessing violence at home, separation and divorce issues, physical abuse, death of a parent, parent/teen conflict and attachment difficulties.

By providing help to these young people as soon as their problems are identified, we give them a chance to turn their lives around and become contributing members to their communities. The Foundation has made a commitment to Algoma Family Services to provide much needed funding to support children’s mental health programs and services, specifically early intervention and prevention programs.  We help to fill the gaps that exist in children’s mental health programs and services in our community, in hopes of reaching at risk children and youth with mental wellness issues before their cases become severe, requiring extreme and intense counseling.

 

The mental health of children and youth has a direct impact on the quality of family life, the safety in our schools and streets, as well as the economic prospects of our society.  It also impacts the future costs of health and correctional services.

WHAT WE SUPPORT

The Foundation embarks on a number of fundraising activities each year to provide for the services and programs of Algoma Family Services.

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Rebound North

This is a volunteer-based program committed to helping young people promote a positive response to themselves, others and their community. The program teaches and reinforces social skills that enable youth to begin making sound decisions, communicate effectively and develop a sense of personal responsibility. Rebound North provides a meaningful opportunity for community volunteers to act as mentors and connect with our youth of today, to ensure a great future for tomorrow.
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Adventure Based Summer Day Camp

Summer Day Camps are offered for children and youth 9 to 17 years who are not able to participate in regular summer camps because of their behavioral difficulties.  A maximum of 8 children/youth participate per week based on individual treatment needs and group dynamics.  Day Camps are offered in Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa and Elliot Lake.
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Strengthening Families for the Future

A group program for parents and their children ages 7 to 11.  The purpose of the program is to strengthen parent/child relationships and focuses on helping parents and children learn healthy coping skills that will reduce the chance of future difficulties.  Children learn to handle their feelings and solve problems.  Parents learn better parenting skills, such as how to achieve wanted behavior from their children and how to manage anger and aggression.
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Social Skills- Self Esteem Group

This group is for children 8 – 11 years with emotional, social and/or behavioral difficulties who struggle in coping with peer pressures, school difficulties and often come from lower socioeconomic conditions.  These children need to develop peer appropriate social skills.  These groups promote self-care, health decision making, assertion, positive relationships, etc.
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Triple P - Positive Parenting Program

Triple P is a multi-level parenting and family support strategy which has been proven to prevent and treat behavioral, emotional and developmental problems in children by enhancing the knowledge, skills and confidence in parents.
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Teen Girls Support Group – Let’s Chat

This group is a group therapy program for teen girls who are feeling the weight of adolescence and who are attempting to understand and resolve symptoms of depression.
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Crisis Follow-Up (CFU)

Crisis Follow-Up Services are provided to children and youth ages 6 to 18 years upon referral from the Sault Area Hospital’s Crisis Intervention Unit and/or their Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Unit.  These are usually children and youth who have been assessed as having high risk mental health issues.  Assessment and short-term counselling intervention occurs as soon as possible after referral for both the child/youth and family.  A variety of mental health issues are addressed, including emotional, behavioral and psychological difficulties.

Learn more about the ways we fundraise and how you can get involved!

EVERY DONATION HELPS

Fundraising Programs

CAREERS AT AFS FOUNDATION

Please submit your resume using the form below.

Current Openings

We currently don’t have any career openings. However, we are actively looking to recruit members for our volunteer Board of Directors. 

 

Board of Directors

Algoma Family Services Foundation welcomes applications for potential Board Members who can help us construct and implement our annual strategic development plan in support of our vision and purpose.

Read More

Qualifications:
• Must be 18 years of age
• Reside in the District of Algoma
• Cannot be an undischarged bankrupt
• Share in the mission of Algoma Family Services Foundation
• Comply with the Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of Algoma Family Services Foundation

Length of Term:
A Board Member’s Term is three consecutive years.

Board Member Responsibilities:
• Review the Foundation’s mission and purposes annually.
• Construct and approve strategic plans.
• Attend Board meetings and actively participate in at least one committee.
• Support the Foundation financially at an appropriate level.
• Demonstrate support for the Foundation by personally attending and participating in Foundation activities wherever possible.
• Ensure there are appropriate staffing levels to support fundraising plans.
• Fulfill commitments within agreed upon deadlines.
• Participate in board orientation to ensure an understanding of the charity.
• Ensure funds are used only to support the Foundation’s mission and purpose.
• Take initiative in informing the Foundation about opportunities for funding or program development.
• Provide leadership within the board and in the community on behalf of Algoma Family Services Foundation.
• Identify and recruit other committed and concerned individuals to serve as volunteers in support of Foundation goals, including new board members.

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