DAVID
Community Leader
Never fear the shadows. Shadows simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby. For me, that light was the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society. There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. I was in the care of the CAS for a period of eight months. I was adopted relatively quickly by loving parents who gave me the gifts of faith, family & opportunity. My father gave me the opportunity to join his business of manufacturing premium-grade custom architectural millwork. Almost 25 years later, I can say without much doubt that an average person with average talent, ambition and education can outshine the most brilliant genius if that person has clear, focused goals – and I do.
Like my father before me, I continue to put food on the table of several families in the City of Windsor. I can't think of a better way to occupy that place God has charged me with. He placed me in the caring hands of the CAS almost five decades earlier and I can truly say that I have made the most of all that has come and the least of all that has gone. Children are like flowers. All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today. Children's Aid is the pod that holds and protects.
ISABELLA
University Student
My life is quite odd compared to most people who are around the same age as I am. But like many kids in the foster program, I was separated from my biological family and grew up in a way that I have never imagined. My story is quite unique, and not often heard. At the age of 13, I entered Canada alone.
The Children's Aid Society took me under its care. Life was depressing and full of challenges; adjusting to a new home, new people, and a complete new life style.
CAS provided me a shelter, food, clothes, health support, educational funds, as well as a second family. CAS not only provided my basic needs, it also gave me the confidence and freedom to become myself again.
I am now studying at the University of Windsor, a major in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program, and I am working towards becoming a great artist.
The CAS team have always been there for me. Many others don't have such opportunities like I have. I consider myself as a very lucky and loved person, and today, I am proud to say that I am part of the Children's Aid Society. This life would have not been the same without the CAS team, and I am truly grateful for everything they have given.
MICHAEL
President, Consulting Firm
Owing largely to unfortunate circumstances following my birth, my mother, an Aboriginal woman, was confronted with a very difficult choice - a decision whether to keep me or to place me into foster care. I was two weeks old when I was placed in a foster home. I stayed with that family until I went away to university. I remember vividly how I was constantly encouraged to seek excellence in anything I did. My foster mother would say, "If you’re going to spend your precious time doing something, then why not do it well."
Hard work paid off as I was awarded an athletic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. My freshman year as an athlete, I excelled but not so in the classroom. But I did not give up and turned this into an opportunity. I transferred to a junior college in Newark, NJ and proved myself academically and caught the attention of several schools even those from the prestigious Ivy League. I selected University of Pennsylvania as I intended not to repeat the same mistakes and graduated.
Having earned a spot on the 1980 Summer Olympic team was a boyhood dream. I realized that I wanted to give something back to the community - the Aboriginal community. My story caught the attention of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation and I became recipient of their award, the highest honour bestowed upon an individual in the Aboriginal community in Canada. One year later, I had the honour of accepting an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Windsor.
I owe much of my successes to my foster mom. Without her and the efforts of CAS workers, I'm certain that my story would not have turned out the same.
BILL
Community Leader
I was the youngest of six brothers and sisters when I came into foster care. When I was 3 we were all adopted. Although my siblings were adopted into different foster homes we maintained a relationship and are still close today. I attribute this close connection to my siblings, and my success as an adult to the wonderful parents that adopted me. They taught me the fundamentals of life and helped me realize my full potential. I am a successful businessman and politician, but more importantly, I feel most successful as a husband and a father. I am currently the Past President of the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Foundation Board of Directors and although I have a busy life, I am still committed to giving back to the organization that was there for me at such a young age.
COREY
Child & Youth Worker
I came into foster care on my 15th birthday. I had grown up in an abusive environment and during my time in care I lived in various foster and group homes. After several months I was placed with a woman who specialized in fostering adolescent girls. This woman became like a grandmother to me. She praised me and often told me how much she was proud of me ... she believed in me! This made me believe in myself and before long I was in post secondary education and being honoured with a bursary. I eventually went to live on my own but was supported by the Society until I turned 21 years of age. The CAS and my CAS worker will always remain as family in my heart.
Today I am a Child & Youth Worker, and recently with the support of my friends and student colleagues was able to create a Bursary for other youth in care. I am a mother and an advocate. I plan to further my career advocating child abuse prevention and awareness as well as advocating on behalf of CAS, showing people the greatness that comes from the agency.
HELENA
Marketing Specialist
Growing up in an abusive home is no way for a child to live, the scars never go away but when you speak out and tell someone you give yourself a second chance to live. I would know I was a child abused for so many years that at the age of 15 I no longer had the desire to live. Like anyone I was scared, hurt, confused, unable to trust anyone and unsure of what would happen to me if I called the Children's Aid Society. I didn't know the process and how they could help but one day after a horrible night of abuse at home I went into school and knew I couldn't live like that any longer. I didn't have the courage to call the Children's Aid Society myself so I decided to confide in a friend at school who did the right thing and went to the guidance counsellor who took the appropriate steps and called the Children's Aid Society. CAS provided me with the counselling, tools, love and support I needed to live a safe, healthy and happy life away from the abuse.
I was scared to tell my story publicly for a long time but when I made a difference in a few people's lives with my story I realized how truly important it is to speak out about abuse. I continue to look for ways to volunteer with the CAS, conduct motivational speeches and try to touch people's lives. Everyone deserves to live a life free of abuse and if I can help make a difference and inspire even one person to tell a friend or call the CAS for help or to voice their story I could die a happy woman.
Today at 26 years old I am a strong, independent, successful woman. I have recently graduated from college, started my career and continue to live a blessed, happy and healthy life. All of this wouldn't have been possible without the many workers, staff, volunteers and foster parents who encouraged, loved, and supported me over the years, I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for everyone one of you and that's why I am proud to say I AM the Children's Aid Society.
MARY
Event Planner
I was adopted when I was only one month old into a loving family. They nurtured me into the person that I am today.I have an outgoing, fun-loving, and deeply caring personality. I am grateful for my parents, who have always loved me unconditionally. From a young age, I was always aware of my adoption and its process. In my early twenties, I was put into contact with my birth mother along with the help of a social worker. The contact helped fill in some unanswered questions, as well as health concerns. I know that I could not have asked for better parents arranged by the CAS. They are truly my angels. Through the Children's Aid Society, I found my true home.
TOM
Entrepreneur
I was adopted through the CAS when I was 7. My adoptive family did their best to make me aware of my family of origin. I always felt as if this was my own family and never did I doubt the welcome from my extended family. I attribute my knowledge and skills to the support of my adoptive family. Four years after my parents passed away I decided that I wanted to go through the process of finding and meeting my birth parents. On my way to work at our family business, I received a call that my birth parents were alive, together and living close by. With exceptional support from the CAS and government, we were finally able to meet. I quickly learned that I had two siblings – brother and a sister who lived right down the road from me. I also learned that I was playing hockey with my own cousins! Being from German decent, and my birth family being the host family for many of the area's German families, I also learned that many of my customers were also relatives. Needless to say, my family tree is very large and I am grateful that my own two sons can enjoy it as well!
I appreciate the support I received from the CAS and was glad to be able to give back as a Board member. I still try to help the CAS as much as I can.
JEMIMAH
University Student
My sisters and I came to Canada after leaving our homeland of Uganda and the abuse we suffered. My oldest sister was 15, my second sister was 14, and I was only 12 when we came into care. We had been in multiple homes we didn't like, so our social worker strived to find us a family where we would be most happy and secure. With hard work, she managed to find us a family that shared the same religious beliefs and whose culture was very similar to ours. I love my foster family and although I have moved out, I still visit every weekend. With the dedication and support of both my foster parents and social worker, I am now enrolled at the University of Windsor pursuing my undergrad in Social work in hopes of getting into law school in the near future. I was once told to 'Aim for perfection and only settle for excellence;' that is still my motto today.