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| The Need |
How it all began …
In the Fall of 2000, a handful of Aboriginal remote communities requested that Kids Come First Childcare Centre donate unclaimed lost items, which immediately prompted us to find out more about this unmet need. After learning about the economic and living conditions in these regions, we quickly realized that we could have an even bigger impact.
- We have now grown into the only organization to provide these communities with these desperately needed items donated and delivered in such an organized and ongoing manner. Our mission is vital because many Aboriginal people need help with the basics, including clothes:
- 52% of all Aboriginal children are poor, whether they live on or off reserve.
- 12% of Aboriginal families are headed by parents under the age of 25 years.
- 27% of Aboriginal families are headed by single mothers.
- 40% of single Aboriginal mothers earn less than $12,000/year.
- 47.2% of the Ontario Aboriginal population receives less than $10,000/year1.
We are striving to change the fact that many Aboriginal people can’t read.
- More than 22% of Canadian adults are considered non-readers. This number is estimated to be much higher in the Aboriginal population because this group was not included in recent literacy surveys.
- Literacy challenges are further compounded by a lack of education, poverty, poor health, unemployment and high crime rates.
- Having books in the home and literacy are strongly connected. Many children in the north lack books in the home. Also, if parents can’t read, it's hard for them to teach, reinforce or model reading to their children.
- Through our Drive, we provide the communities with desperately needed items to help alleviate the effects of poverty.
- By sending books to the communities, we help Aboriginal children and families access more books so they can read and learn together.
1 The Urban Aboriginal Child Poverty: A Status Report on Aboriginal Children and their Families in Ontario (2000); 2003 Report on Child Poverty in Ontario, April 22, 2003). The report sites the lack of adequate clothing as one of the urgent needs that has to be addressed. |
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| What our Friends Need |
| Linen |
| Toys |
| Women's sanitary supplies |
| Bras |
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