Inaugural Impact Challenge
In 2021, we launched a national Challenge to find programs and interventions that enable families and children to live prosperous lives through stronger parenting and supports that keep children out of the foster care system.
In our first year of the Challenge, we received over 65 applications from eligible charitable organizations across Canada. Each application was reviewed by The Sonor Foundation, with a short list invited for further conversations with our team.
Six finalists came out on top with strong interventions that demonstrated innovative, measurable and impactful solutions that enable families to thrive through stronger parenting and supports that keep children out of the foster care system. Over $1.2M has been awarded across the winners.
Meet the 2021 Impact Challenge recipients.
African Caribbean Black - Family Group Conferencing | University of Toronto
The African, Caribbean, Black Family Group Conferencing Project, also known as ACB-FGC, is working to transform the way the child welfare system supports the wellbeing of African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) children, families, and youth by delivering culturally adapted Family Group Conferencing to ACB families and youth in the Toronto area.
CARES | SAAAC
CARES is an eight-week skills-based support group program that connects caregivers to each other and shows them that they're not alone in their struggles, as well as assist them in supporting their own mental health. Using trained peer facilitators, CARES aims to empower and serve diverse communities through a culturally responsive framework, which engages caregivers whose experiences and cultures are traditionally excluded from mainstream settings.
Giiwedin Anang Council | Aboriginal Legal Services
The Giiwedin Anang Council is a community based Indigenous Alternative Dispute Resolution program. Since 2008, the Council has helped resolve disputes between Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Families. The Council is a group of volunteers from the Indigenous community. Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Aunties, Uncles and community members gather in a Talking Circle to guide families through their difficult situations.
MASSI | Indus Community Services
With almost half a million South Asians living in Peel, unique needs have emerged in terms of navigating complex family issues. The MASSI (Multicultural Access to Social Support Initiative) project is designed to address the gap in culturally appropriate family services by offering a holistic service delivery model that encourages the presence of cultural facilitators and supports.
StepStones’ Safe at Home Project | Stepstones for Youth
StepStones’ Safe at Home Project connects children and youth with kin, and community allies who provide long-term, stable home environments and unconditional care and support. They work with children and youth to create positive and meaningful connections; increase their sense of belonging; increase school engagement, high school graduation, and post-secondary enrollment; and increase stable housing and mental and physical health.
Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) | Child Development Institute
