What Are Batshaw Youth and Family Centres?
In 2012, our staff decided that the same old company gift exchange was not doing enough during the holiday season. Sure, we had the opportunity to gift coworkers with entertaining and embarrassing presents, but the truth of it was that these gifts often ended up in the trash at the end of the day.
Our first thought was that we could donate to an orphanage. However, there are currently no orphanages in Quebec. Parentless and deserted children are funneled directly into foster care programs. So, the research began.
After extensive review, we landed on the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres and knew that we had found our match.
A non-profit organization, Batshaw Youth and Family Centres have been providing underprivileged children with the support they need for over 25 years. They do this through professional psychosocial, rehabilitation, and social integration services, and a number of other free amenities such as:
- Child placement services for neglected children
- Support for victims of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse
- Assistance for abandoned children
- Assistance for children with behavioral problems
- Family mediation
- Adoption disclosure
- Court expertise on child custody
The Batshaw Youth and Family Centres also deal with young offender interventions by virtue of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
If something is affecting Quebec’s youth, the dedicated staff at Batshaw are there.
Visiting the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres
After reading about the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, we of course wanted to arrange a meeting. And, while we thought we knew what we were getting involved in, nothing could have prepared us for the stories we heard.
Our hearts ached, and our stomachs dropped upon hearing the stories of how children end up under the care of the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres. Stories of abuse, neglect, sexual assault, violence, death… much too awful to even repeat.
We also came to realize that there are far more neglected kids in our province than we originally imagined. The Centre deals with thousands every year. Thousands of children, who, instead of looking towards their future with inspiration and confidence, feel as if they have no future ahead of them.
Growing Every Year
From donating 250 gifts and $10,000 in 2015 to 550 gifts and $33,000 in 2016, we strive to do better and exceed our quota year by year.
In 2022, our goal is to raise $30,000 and donate 750 gifts to the youth at the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres.
While in the past we’ve relied on our own LinkNow Media family for these donations, this year we’re branching out and looking for help from other businesses and people like you who want to do a little more this holiday season.
Help us help the children of the Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, and see how you can donate to their cause today.
Click here to download the flyer
Donate Today!
