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Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. 💙❤️🤍

Today, we honour and remember the lives of transgender individuals lost to hatred, violence, and discrimination. This day is a solemn reminder to acknowledge the struggles and challenges that the transgender community faces every day,… and to show our support and solidarity.

Today, let's take a moment to reflect on the lives that have been lost, and to recommit ourselves to fighting for equality and justice for all. Let's stand up against transphobia, hate, and discrimination, and strive to create a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear.

Remember, it's not enough to just remember the lives lost – we must also take action to create change. Let's educate ourselves, support transgender individuals, advocate for their rights, and work towards a more inclusive and accepting society.

#TransgenderDayofRemembrance #LoveNotHate #YRCAS

Today is National Child Day. 🌟👶🏾🧒🏼👧🏽🧑🏿🌈💖🌍

Today, we celebrate the rights, dreams, and potential of every child to have a happy, safe, and fulfilling childhood. National Child Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting, …nurturing, empowering and promoting the well-being of all children. It is also a day to remember that every child has the right to education, healthcare, and a loving environment.

At York Region CAS, we believe that every child deserves love, safety, and opportunities to grow. We are committed to advocating for the rights of children everywhere, and working towards a future where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

Together, we can make a difference and create a better world for all children.

#NationalChildDay #ChildrensRights
#EveryChildMatters #FutureLeaders #YRCAS

Today is International Men's Day.

Happy International Men's Day to all the amazing men around the world! Today we celebrate the positive contributions, achievements, diversity, and influence that men bring to our society and communities.

Let's also take today to …address the important issues facing men, such as mental health, toxic masculinity, and gender equality. It's crucial that we work together to create a world where all men feel safe, respected, and able to express themselves without fear of judgement or stigma.

#InternationalMensDay #MentalHealth #YRCAS

On Thursday, November 7, York Region CAS hosted its annual Stay in School Awards ceremony!

The Stay in School Awards is a chance for our Agency to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, and determination of our youth from grades 8 to12 for staying in school and advancing to the next grade.… We also celebrate youth attending post-secondary education who applied to the York Region Children’s Fund and were awarded funding to assist with schooling costs.

This year’s ceremony was held virtually, and awards were presented to a total of 80 deserving youth with letters of congratulations and gift cards to honour their accomplishments.

Emceed by a member of the York Region CAS Youth Advisory Council, highlights from this year’s ceremony included messages of congratulations from Laura Davidson (Director of Child, Youth and Family Wellbeing), Kim Sylvester (Manager of Service, Resources), Ginelle Skerrit (York Region CAS, Chief Executive Officer) and Susan Bird (Chair, York Region Children's Fund). Youth also had the opportunity to hear from Sam Noyek (Project Manager, Child Welfare PAC – Pathways to Apprenticeships) and Deb Finniear (Optimist Club of Aurora).

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to this year’s funding partners who helped make this event possible:

👏 Rotary Club of Newmarket
👏 Newmarket Lions Club
👏 The Charitable Trust of the CFUW Aurora/Newmarket
👏 Maplerock Kennedy Advisors Inc.
👏 First Roots Early Education Academy Ltd.
👏 Town or Aurora – Mayor’s charity Golf Classic
👏 Optimist club of Newmarket
👏 Optimist Club of Aurora Inc.
👏 York Region Children’s Fund

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to congratulate all our youth once again for their accomplishments and can’t wait to do it all again next year!

#StayinSchool #Awards #YRCAS #YorkRegion #Community #Wellbeing #Children

Today is World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence.

The creation of this international day is a groundbreaking milestone in increasing global awareness of the horrific prevalence of sexual violence against children and mobilizing action… to prevent violence and support healing and justice for survivors.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of child sexual exploitation, abuse, or violence, know that there is help available. You are not alone, and there are resources and organizations dedicated to supporting survivors and helping them heal.

Together, we can create a world where all children are safe, protected, and free from harm.

In an emergency call 9-1-1. To reach a member of the Human Trafficking Team directly at York Regional Police, contact 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6800 or email humantraffickingteam@yrp.ca

Remember, all calls are confidential.

#EndChildSexualAbuse #WorldDayForPrevention #YRCAS

Have you seen hate?

If you have been impacted by hate or witness a hate crime or incident, follow these steps:

Get Help
👉 Stay calm
👉 Get medical help if necessary
👉 If you feel comfortable and from a safe location, call the police or your local community …organizations you trust for help

Report
👉 Document as much relevant information as you can about the incident
👉 Get pictures/video and contact information of witnesses
👉 Keep all relevant evidence

Support
👉 Support those impacted
👉 Connect with your local community organizations or your local members of council to get the support you need.

To learn more, visit york.ca/EndHate.

#EndHateYR #YRCAS #YorkRegion

Today is International Day for Tolerance. 🌍

As we commemorate this day, let us reflect on the importance of tolerance in building a more inclusive and harmonious world. Let us strive to be more understanding of others, to embrace diversity, and to promote acceptance and empathy in our …communities.

At York Region CAS, we celebrate the beauty of diversity that unites us and the strength that comes from embracing our differences.

Let us all work together to create a more tolerant and peaceful world. Let us stand up against discrimination, prejudice, and intolerance in all its forms. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world.

#ToleranceDay #Inclusion #Diversity #Empathy #LoveNotHate #YRCAS #YorkRegion

This #FosterFriday, we invite you to join our friendly Foster Care Recruitment team who will be facilitating an in-person information session on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Aurora Public Library (@aurorapubliclibrary).

To register for this session, please …email us at: fostering@yorkcas.org or Nelia at npacheco@aurorapl.ca

We look forward to seeing you there! 😀

For more information about foster caregiving, please visit yorkcas.org/foster-caregivers

As we continue to recognize Adoption and Permanency Education Awareness Week throughout the month of November, it's important to note that adopting a child is a beautiful and life-changing experience, but it also comes with its own challenges.

As adoptive or prospective adoptive …parents, it's vital to be prepared and informed so you can provide the best possible support for your child. Please refer to some helpful tips below:

1️⃣ Conduct a deep reflection on why you want to adopt and make sure your motivations are clear and well thought out.
2️⃣ Familiarize yourself with different types of adoption and permanency options and what each entail.
3️⃣ Commit to learning and honouring the background of the child if you are adopting a child from a different race, culture, or country.
4️⃣ Find support groups for adoptive parents and seek resources specifically for adoptive families.
5️⃣ Be patient and open to different bonding processes, which can vary depending on your child’s age, background, and personality.
6️⃣ Honesty is key as children grow and may want to know more about their origins. Be open, age-appropriate, and understanding in discussing adoption with them. Never keep the adoption a secret.
7️⃣ Keep educating yourself about adoption and child psychology, as each developmental stage may bring new questions or emotional challenges.

Remember, every adoption journey is different. By educating yourself, being patient, and creating a strong support system, you can navigate the ups and downs of adoption with confidence and love.

#Adoption #AdoptiveParents #Support #Love #Family #YRCAS #YorkRegion #Community

This #ThrowbackThusday we’d like to extend a special shoutout to Hatice Erdogan of @heart.pottery who held a free handmade pottery workshop for seven of our youth and four of our staff members this summer.

During this workshop, participants had the chance to work with air dry clay and …let their creativity shine by building different things.

Swipe through the photos to see some of the creations.

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to sincerely thank Hatice for sharing her passions and skill for art with us. Her commitment to this craft has inspired many of our youth to continue building artwork at home and exploring pottery as a happy art medium.

#YRCAS #YorkRegion #TBT #ThankYou #Community #Creativity #Pottery

November 13-17 is National Bullying Prevention Week.

It is a time to come together and raise awareness about the impact of bullying on individuals and society. Let's use this week to educate ourselves and others on how to prevent bullying and promote kindness and empathy. Remember, …bullying can have long-lasting effects on mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Here are some ways to help stop bullying:

✔️ Be aware of the signs
✔️ Speak up
✔️ Be a friend
✔️ Educate yourself and others
✔️ Report incidents
✔️ Set a good example
✔️ Practice self-care

#StopBullying #SpreadKindness #YRCAS

As our Agency continues to recognize Woman Abuse Prevention Month throughout November, we would like to bring attention to the annual Wrapped in Courage campaign organized by the Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses.

Gender-based violence (GBV) agencies across Ontario …are asking community members to wear a purple scarf to show their support for survivors of GBV within their community and beyond.

We each hold the threads to weave us towards awareness and safety for survivors of gender-based violence.

Get your scarf today, because when woven together, even a simple thread of action to end gender-based violence can make a difference in the lives of survivors of violence and their children across Ontario.

For more information, visit: https://wrappedincourage.ca/

#IPV #WrappedinCourage #WomanAbusePreventionMonth #ThreadsofActiontoEndGBV #YRCAS #YorkRegion #Community

November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week. 💙💗🤍

This week, we honour the voices, experiences, and resilience of transgender community. It is also a time to create awareness, foster understanding, and stand in solidarity with the trans community.

At YRCAS, we recognize …the issues of prejudice, violence, and discrimination that the transgender community faces. Through learning, advocacy, education, and empathy, we invite you to join us in eliminating these issues and contributing to a world where everyone is respected and celebrated for who they are.

#TransgenderAwarenessWeek #TransLivesMatter #YRCAS

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the Department of People and Culture at York Region CAS hosted our Agency’s second annual “Take Your Child to Work Day” at our head office in Newmarket 👩‍💼🏢💚

This year, we welcomed 11 grade nine students who were eager to learn about …child welfare through a day of hands-on activities and interactive workshops.

The day kicked off with an icebreaker bingo activity; a fun way for students to meet one another followed by a brief orientation covering housekeeping, confidentiality, and health and safety. Students also had the opportunity to take part in workshops regarding child protection and legal services, where they gained insights into the important role of supporting children and families in the community and the legal processes that help facilitate positive outcomes.

After a delicious pizza lunch, students attended a workshop on resources available to youth and learned about our Education Liaison team, followed by a baking class hosted by Youth Support. The Communications team then led an engaging session that had students use their creativity to redesign the York Region CAS logo and colour the Agency’s child-friendly strategic plan.

The highlight of the day was the bingo prize draw where students received gift cards for their participation.

A huge thank you to the People and Culture team and all the departments who contributed to making this year’s Take Your Child to Work Day a valuable, fun and inspiring learning experience for youth in attendance.

We look forward to welcoming a new group of students next year for another memorable day of learning and inspiration!

#YRCAS #YorkRegion #TakeYourChildtoWorkDay2024 #Community #Wellbeing

Today is Remembrance Day. We pause to honour and reflect on the bravery, sacrifice, and courage of those who served and continue to serve.

Today, York Region CAS remembers the lives lost, the families impacted, and the legacy of our national heroes.

Ways to Participate in …Remembrance Day:
✔️ Attend a Remembrance Day event or in your community.
✔️ Visit a memorial or war cemetery.
✔️Observe a 2-minute silence at 11 a.m.
✔️ Wear a poppy.
✔️ Learn about those who have served, including women, Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, Chinese Canadians, and Jewish Canadians.

#RemebranceDay #Heroes #WearAPoppy #YRCAS

On November 5th and 7th, @childandfamilycollaborative hosted a Conference titled, “Parenting is Heartwork,” in partnership with York Region EarlyON Child and Family Programs.

Free for families in York Region with babies 0-12 months, the Conference gave participants an opportunity to …connect with fellow parents, access valuable parenting resources, participate in fun and engaging parent-baby workshops, and gain insights from child development experts.

The Conference also served as a day of support and inspiration, focusing on practical self-care for parents with goals to uplift, celebrate, and equip them for the heart work of parenting.

York Region CAS was honoured to participate and have our own booth at the Conference where we shared important information related to key Agency initiatives.
Swipe to see photos of our staff and our booth at the Conference!

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to thank the Child and Family Collaborative and all those who made this event possible.

#YorkRegion #Community #Collaboration #Parenting #YRCAS #Wellbeing #Selfcare

While a hate crime is a criminal offense and a hate incident is not, both have harmful effects on the individuals and communities they are directed at.

Hate crimes and incidents have an undue ripple effect of harm that reaches beyond the individual to their community. Whether directed at …an individual or group, the effects of hate can leave entire communities feeling isolated and vulnerable.

Effective responses against hate crimes include protection (by the law), prevention (through education) and partnerships (community coalition building).

Hate has no home in York Region. To learn how you can help end the cycle of hate, visit york.ca/EndHate

#EndHateYR #YRCAS #YorkRegion #Community

Often time, people tend to have different misconceptions about adoption and permanency.

At York Region CAS, we are here to set the records straight regarding the misconceptions! Each family’s journey is different, and adoption or legal custody is open to people of all backgrounds …regardless of creed or structure.

Swipe to learn more and help us share the facts.

#AdoptionMyths #AdoptionAwareness #YRCAS

Today is #FosterFriday and to celebrate, we invite you to join our Foster Care Recruitment team who will be facilitating an in-person foster caregiver information session on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Aurora Public Library (@aurorapubliclibrary).

At this …information session, you can expect to learn more about:
✅ The vital role that foster parents play in supporting children, youth, and families within our community
✅ The support and resources available to help you on your foster care journey
✅ The benefits of becoming a foster parent along with the requirements and responsibilities

To register, please email our friendly team at: fostering@yorkcas.org or Nelia at npacheco@aurorapl.ca

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information about foster caregiving, we invite you to visit our website at: yorkcas.org/foster-caregivers

Today is Chinese Railroad Workers Memorial Day.

The day pays homage to the Chinese pioneers who came to Canada in the 1880s to help build the railroad through the Canadian Rockies, thus uniting Canada from coast to coast, both politically and geographically. Of the 17,000 men who came from… the Province of Guangdong, China, over 4,000 lost their lives due to unsafe working conditions, landslides, and premature blastings.

Sadly, on November 7, 1885, during the hammering of the last spike, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) company director Donald Smith was surrounded by dignitaries and railroad workers, yet not one Chinese face appeared in the iconic Canadian picture.

This omission underscores the importance of marking November 7 as a day to pay tribute to our Chinese Railroad Workers and honour their contributions to the building of our nation.

Read More:
https://fccrwc.com/chinese-railroad-workers-memorial-day-proclamation/

Swipe to see: The Hand and the Nail – A depiction that tells the story of a tough, challenging life, capturing resilience and struggles.

Picture courtesy of: Foundation to Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada