Past Projects

ONE TO ONE Literacy Society’s mission is to help children develop literacy skills for life.  Their program supports children from diverse and underserved communities who do not, for many reasons, receive literacy support at home. GC4C funds:

• Purchased 18 sets of specifically- researched reading materials packaged in the “ONE TO ONE Book Box” used by trained volunteers to tutor elementary school students who struggle with reading
• The specialized book boxes, covering 21 reading levels, are suitable for students in grades 1 to 3

Total expended 2015: $6,880

For more information on ONE TO ONE Literacy Society: http://www.one-to-one.ca

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Alma means “soul” in Spanish. Their mission is to make positive changes in the lives of Latin American children. They use a micro philanthropic model, partnering with local social entrepreneurs on small, high social return, grassroots education initiatives.

GC4C has sponsored two projects:

Trout Farm Project, Patacancha Peru

• Construction (2013 – 2015) of a trout farm in the rural communities of Patacancha. The goal of the project is to improve the academic potential and performance of the 134 primary school students through the eradication of chronic malnutrition among the student population. The trout farm, constructed within school grounds and operated by trained community volunteers, provides a protein-based school lunch two to three times per week.
• The direct beneficiaries of this project are the children in Patacancha between the ages of 3-13 years. The indirect beneficiaries are parents of the children and the teachers who work with the children (approx. 500 people between the two communities).
• Results so far have shown that of the 134 primary school students, 24% fully or partially recovered from malnutrition and of the 134 primary school students, 84% improved or did not worsen their incidence of malnutrition.
• Teachers have also reported increased attendance and participation in school sessions.
• This project is self-sustaining

Pre-School, Las Palmeras, Bolivia

• Purchased books, school supplies, tables and chairs to help furnish a pre-school in Las Palmeras in Bolivia

Total expended 2013 – 2016: $26,150

For more information on Alma: http://almafoundation.wordpress.com

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The Starfish Pack program provides a backpack of food for hungry kids to take home to their families every Friday throughout the school year. Food is purchased at cost and the backpacks are filled by volunteers. Teachers report an improvement in students’ math, reading, and concentration skills as a result. GC4C funds went to support:

• Weekend backpacks for two children in Coquitlam, B.C. for a full school year.

Total expended 2016: $1,050

For more information of the Starfish Pack Program: http://starfishpack.com/

Options provides counselling to children and youth who are victims of sexual abuse.

In 2018 we donated $4,500 for construction of an outdoor therapeutic healing space, including a pathway, bench, a fence and locking gate, and a fairy garden. The funds also replaced broken toys and restocked art supplies.

In past years our funds have provided

• neurofeedback headbands for clients to use in meditation and stress reduction
• new flooring, shelving, paint, and other upgrades to two playrooms and an art therapy room
• art supplies, games, books and toys
• new lighting and storage units in two counseling rooms and an art therapy room
• resource materials for suicide prevention counselors
• replacements for broken toys, furniture and introduced new materials for therapeutic space
• therapeutic books and bus tickets for users of the clinic

Since 2012 we’ve donated $30,500!

For more information on OCSS: http://www.scss.ca/counselling/sexual-abuse-counselling-centre

Act 2 provides counselling to child trauma victims in the Tri-Cities area of Metro Vancouver. Approximately 250 children are referred to Act 2 every year by the RCMP. Counselling supports kids who are victims of abuse and others suffering the effects of traumatic events such as violence, family breakup, or the death of a loved one.

In 2018, GC4C gave $3,500 to provide art supplies, shelving, storage, toys and a sand tray in an art room and play therapy room.

PLEA delivers community-based social, health, educational, vocational and justice services to children and youth in the Metro Vancouver region.

In past years our funds have provided

• expansion of a popular photography program, serving about 40 teenagers who are in government care. Funds purchased five digital cameras and accessories, which the teens use in a supervised photography program.
• a home entertainment system in PLEA’s new location in East Vancouver. The location hosts more than 10 programs for at-risk or exploited youth, and
• new landscaping and yard equipment for Yardworks, a PLEA program that provides work experience and social skills to youth through the running of a small garden maintenance and junk removal business.

Since 2016 we’ve donated $11,500 to PLEA!

For more information on Plea Community Services: www.plea.ca

In 2019 we donated $12,000 to Abetavu, a children’s home outside of Kampala, Uganda, for the design and construction of a soccer field for 200 children. In May and June, fill was placed, compactors rented, and drainage and edges for the soccer pitch constructed. Later, goal posts were erected and grass seedlings installed. Our funds also built a combination change/ room/office/storage room.

The soccer pitch is home to Hidden Talent, Abetavu’s soccer program, which teaches soccer skills and leadership training. The teams used to practice at the local primary school, but the ground was filled with potholes and the space shared with cows and goats. The new, secure soccer pitch allows for daily practices, community matches, and tournaments. Next, Abetavu hopes to launch a girls soccer division and one for special needs children. The local chief (mayor) reports that fights, violence against women, rape, and theft have significantly decreased since the community soccer team was established.

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WE Charity is an organization dedicated to educating children in Ethiopia.

In 2019, we donated $1,000 to establish Reading Corners Mini Libraries in elementary schools, part of a larger project to establish 35 new reading corners. The libraries give children a chance to read after class and borrow books for the weekend, thus encouraging a culture of reading in areas where books are rare.

In 2018 and 2017, we also supported mini-libraries.

YFFL, one of GC4C’s longest-standing partners, provides breakfasts, snacks, and lunches to hungry students at several schools in Yukon.  YFFL programs are community based, which means the nutrition programs are responsive to the specific needs of each school.

In 2019, we donated $4,000 to provide approximately 125 students at J.V. Clark School in Mayo with a hot lunch twice a week and a morning snack every day. 

Over the years, our sponsorship has helped meet the nutritional needs of approximately 470 children in five schools, including J.V. Clark School in Mayo, and the Elias Community School in Haines Junction.

Since 2011 we’ve donated $65,000!

For more information on YFFL: http://www.yukonfoodforlearning.ca/