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This week is GLSEN Ally/Solidarity Week.

GLSEN's Ally/Solidarity Week was launched in 2005 by students from GLSEN's Jumpstart Program. It used to be called Ally Week, but changed the name of the campaign to Solidarity Week in 2020.

Solidarity Week is a school-focused …campaign that encourages schools to show support for 2SLGBTQ+ students and educators. The campaign aims to help students and educators start the school year with positive actions to combat harassment and marginalization of 2SLGBTQ+ students.

How to Show Support:
✔️Be a visible ally to 2SLGBTQ+ students.
✔️Read a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive picture book.
✔️Share Solidarity Week with families and friends.
✔️Continue the conversation.

#SolidarityWeek #AllyWeek #YRCAS

On November 13, 27, and 28, the York Catholic District School Board in collaboration with the York Regional Police will be hosting an informative discussion on protecting youth from human trafficking.

The discussion will be held at schools across York Region for parents and youth to better… understand the risks that some may face online.

Swipe for details or read below for more info:
November 13 – 7 to 9 p.m. @ Our Lady Queen of the World CA (Richmond Hill)
November 27 – 7 to 9 p.m. @ St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS (Aurora)
November 28 – 7 to 9 p.m. @ Father Bressani CHS (Vaughan)

To learn more about human trafficking, please visit: https://www.yrp.ca/en/about/Human-Trafficking.asp

November 3-9 is Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario.

Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of treaties and helps Ontario students and residents understand the significance of treaty rights, treaty relationships and their relevance today.

The week also represents one of… many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

YRCAS is proud to honour Treaties Recognition Week.

For more information visit, https://www.ontario.ca/page/treaties-recognition-week

#TreatyON #TreatyRecognitionWeek #Ontario #YorkRegion #YRCAS

Hate has no home in York Region.

We all have a role to play to make sure York Region is a welcoming, inclusive and safe place for everyone. By standing up against hate, we are showing our commitment to creating communities where diversity is celebrated and everyone participates freely in …society, develops to their full potential, lives with respect and dignity, and is free from discrimination.

No one should feel unsafe simply because of who they are.

To learn how you can help end the cycle of hate, visit york.ca/EndHate.

#EndHateYR #YRCAS #YorkRegion

November is Adoption and Permanency Education Month, a time to reflect on the permanency children and youth find through kinship connections, legal custody, and adoption 🏠

Children and youth deserve a family that is a good fit for them. Adoption means finding homes for all children, …including older children, teens, and siblings, who may have complex needs due to the experiences that brought them into care.

The Adoption team at York Region CAS works diligently to recruit, locate, and support a diverse adoptive community to meet the individual needs and diverse identities of the children and youth available for adoption.

This month, join us in learning more about adoption, addressing common misconceptions, and exploring different adoption pathways.

Together, we can help create safe and loving home for children and youth in our community.

Learn more at https://www.yorkcas.org/adoption/

#AdoptionAwareness #PermanencyEducation #AwarenessMonth

Foster parenting develops and hones valuable skills such as patience, compassion, and flexibility, which are beneficial in all aspects of life.

It provides an opportunity to teach children what a loving family is and how to form healthy relationships, breaking cycles of abusive behaviour …and benefiting future generations.

Additionally, #fosterparents become role models not only for the foster children but also for their biological children and the wider community, promoting values of service, love, and compassion.

The experience is emotionally fulfilling, creating lasting memories and relationships, and often leads to meaningful connections within the foster parent community.

To learn more, give us a call or visit our website:
☎️ 905.895.2318
🌐 yorkcas.org/foster-caregivers

November marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Woman Abuse Prevention Month.

This month and throughout the entire year, York Region CAS stands in solidarity with the survivors of woman abuse and domestic violence. As an Agency, we are committed to working to help dismantle …the systematic and cultural factors that enable violence. Let's unite to raise awareness, support survivors, and advocate for policies that protect and empower them.

By raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and fostering a culture of respect and empathy, we can create a world where everyone can live free from fear and harm.

#DVAM2024 #NoSurvivorJusticeWithoutRacialJustice #EndDomesticViolence #WomanAbusePreventionMonth #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #SupportSurvivors #YRCAS #YorkRegion

This November, we observe Transgender Awareness Month, a time to honour the lives, struggles, and triumphs of transgender and non-binary individuals.

It's a month to raise awareness about the systemic barriers and injustices that the trans community faces, from discrimination and …violence to lack of access to healthcare and resources.

Let's use our voices to amplify theirs, stand in solidarity, and advocate for a world where everyone can live authentically and safely.

Together, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate society.

#TransAwarenessMonth #TransRightsAreHumanRights #LoveIsLove

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to wish all those celebrating a joyful and illuminating Diwali! 🕯️🎆

May this time bring peace, prosperity, and light to your life.

#Diwali #LordMahavir #Jainism #FestivalOfLights #YRCAS #YorkRegion

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to wish all those celebrating a Happy Halloween! 🎃🍭👻

May your night be filled with spooky fun, sweet treats, and unforgettable memories.

Stay safe and have a howling good time!

Swipe to see photos of our team in …costumes at the annual Halloween in the Village event hosted by the York Regional Police.

#YRCAS #YorkRegion #Halloween #SpookySeason

Today, we mark Intersex Awareness Day, a day dedicated to acknowledging the lives, struggles, and contributions of intersex people around the world.

Intersex individuals are born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female. Despite their …presence in every culture and society, intersex people often face discrimination, stigma, and medical interventions without their consent.

Let's use this day to educate ourselves and others about the experiences of intersex individuals. It's time to break down the barriers and create a more inclusive and supportive environment

Here are some ways you can show your support:

▪️ Learn and Share: Educate yourself about intersex issues and share what you learn with others.

▪️ Listen and Amplify: Listen to the voices of intersex individuals and amplify their stories.

▪️ Advocate: Support policies and initiatives that protect the rights of intersex people.

▪️ Respect: Use respectful language and recognize the diversity of human bodies.

#IntersexAwarenessDay #IntersexRights #Inclusion #Diversity #RespectForAll #HumanRights

Today is #DressPurpleDay ! 💜💜💜

The Dress Purple Day campaign aims to raise awareness about the supports and services available in communities across Ontario, including through child welfare agencies, and how they can be accessed. It reminds community-based organizations and …service providers about the importance of working in partnership to provide early intervention and prevention services to children, youth, and families that need short- or long-term support.

The campaign also reminds children and youth that they have rights to safety and well-being in all spaces, including at home, at school, and in their community.

Today, York Region CAS invites our community to join us in wearing purple.

Swipe through the photos to see pictures of our staff honouring #DressPurpleDay2024

For more information about Dress Purple Day, visit:
https://www.oacas.org/publications-and-campaigns/dresspurpleday/

#DressPurpleDay2024 #IDressPurpleBecause #YRCAS #YorkRegion

As we approach the end of Foster Family Appreciation Week 2024, we would like to acknowledge our amazing Foster Care Recruitment Team at York Region CAS 💚💛

As you may know, foster care placement availability is on a steady decline and there has been a 33.6% decrease in available …foster homes since 2020, putting the safety and well-being of children, youth and families at risk.

Now more than ever there is a demand for compassionate individuals and families who are willing to open their doors and hearts to vulnerable children and youth in our community.

If you work closely with an organization or an individual who may be interested in learning more about fostering, please direct them to our foster care recruitment team who are willing to host meetings both in person and virtually to share the necessary information and resources. You can email them at fostering@yorkcas.org.

As a reminder, our friendly team will also be hosting a foster caregiver information session on October 30, 2024, from 7-8 p.m. (virtual event). You can register by emailing fostering@yorkcas.org.

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to sincerely thank all of foster parents continued efforts and support in helping to change lives.

#FosterFriday #FosterFamilyAppreciation #FosterCare #YRCAS #YorkRegion

As a member organization of the Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG) and an endorsee of the Inclusion Charter for York Region, we are proud to stand up against hate in our communities ✋

No one should feel unsafe simply because of who they are. We all have a role to play to make… sure York Region is a welcoming, inclusive and safe place for everyone.

To learn how you can help end the cycle of hate, visit york.ca/EndHate

#EndHateYR #YRCAS #YorkRegion

Donate today to Currency for Kids in support of the York Region Children's Fund 🌎💲

It is estimated that over $2 Billion in foreign currency is stored or saved in Canadian homes and businesses. This currency has no use or real value in Canada. As a result, foreign currency (notes… and coins) can be found in bags, boxes, envelopes, teacups, jars and desk drawers.

Did you know? 🙋

Currency from travels and vacations can be donated to Currency for Kids (CFK).

Donations of currency are repatriated from countries all around the world. After being converted to Canadian currency, your donation is then used to support programs for children and youth living in vulnerable situations.

In York Region alone, there is between $69 and $104 million in foreign currency available for collection. Just imagine for a moment, what YRCF could do with this level of funding?

Donate to the York Region Children’s Fund today by mailing or dropping your donation of foreign currency to YRCF (16915 Leslie Street, Newmarket). You can also visit the Continental Currency Exchange locations at Markville Shopping Centre and Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket.

General donations can also be made to the York Region Children's Fund at: www.yorkregionchildrensfund.org/donate

#CurrencyforKids #YRCAS #YorkRegion

As our Agency continues to recognize Foster Family Appreciation week (October 21-25), we would like to honour all of our dedicated foster parents both past and present!

Swipe through the photos to see some of our foster caregivers over the years.

A sincere thank you for all their …dedication, kindness and positive impact that they have made and continue to make in the lives of so many in our community.

By sharing their stories and photos, we hope to inspire others to help support child, youth and family wellbeing in York Region and beyond.

If you or someone you know may be interested in becoming a foster caregiver, we invite you to join our friendly team at our next information session on October 30 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. (virtual event).

You can register by emailing fostering@yorkcas.org

#ThankYou #FosterParents #FosterParentAppreciationWeek2024 #YRCAS #YorkRegion

On Saturday, October 26, the York Regional Police will be hosting its annual spooktacular Halloween in the Village event in which all little ghouls and goblins are invited to participate 🎃🍭👻

The event will be taking place from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Community Safety …Village at Bruce’s Mill (3291 Stoufville Road) with two dedicated time slots to choose from:

Timeslot 1 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Entrance will be permitted starting at 10:15 a.m.)

Timeslot 2 – 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Entrance will be permitted starting at 1:45 p.m.)

The cost of the event is $10 per vehicle in which all funds raised will be donated to United Way.

Please also note that the event will take place in rain or shine.

Members of both the York Region Children’s Aid Society’s Foster Care Recruitment Team and York Region Children’s Fund will also be present at the event handing out candy and stickers to all the children and participants.

For more information about the event, including registration, visit:
https://calendar.yrp.ca/default/Register/2024-10-26-1030-Halloween-in-the-Village

We look forward to seeing you there!

#YorkRegion #YRP #Community #Halloween #YRCAS

October 21-25 is recognized as National Foster Family Appreciation Week and during this time, Ontario’s child welfare sector recognizes the invaluable contributions of foster caregivers across the province.

Foster caregivers are important community members who not only provide temporary… homes for children and youth, but also facilitate connections and reunification with their families and communities. Caregiving can also include taking care of children and youth from one’s extended family or cultural community, through kinship care or customary care placements.

Throughout this week and the entire year, York Region CAS would like to extend a very heart-felt, “Thank You!” to all our Foster Families for all that they do to care for children, youth and families in our community.

To learn more about the vital role of foster caregivers, please visit: https://www.oacas.org/there-to-care/

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster caregiver with our Agency, we encourage you to visit our website: https://www.yorkcas.org/foster-caregivers/

#FosterFamilyAppreciationWeek #TheretoCare #FosterCare #YRCAS #YorkRegion

This week, York Region CAS recognizes and acknowledge Invisible Disabilities Awareness Week.

Not all disabilities are visible. Disabilities can be physical, psychosocial, psychological, and/or developmental. Common examples of invisible disabilities include Bipolar Disorder, Autism …Spectrum Disorder, Diabetes, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.

York Region CAS is committed to building a community where all challenges are understood and supported.

#InvisibleDisabilitiesWeek #UnderstandingAndSupport #AbilityInDisability

York Region CAS is proud to announce that our Agency was selected to take part in the Dreams Take Flight program 👨‍✈️✈️🌟

Dreams Take Flight is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization that provides an all-expenses paid trip of a lifetime to deserving children. Selected …children are treated to a day full of fun and adventure in a world-renowned theme park in California or Florida.

Air Canada donates planes. Volunteers raise money throughout the year. Donors give to cover all the expenses—aircraft fuel, park admission, spending money, plus cash for souvenirs and gifts. Each child and their escort are also clad in signature clothing to set them apart in the park.

This year, York Region CAS was proud to have four children take part and one of our workers participate as a chaperone.

On behalf of York Region CAS, we would like to thank the teams at Dreams Take Flight (@dreamsyyz) and Air Canada (@fondation_aircanada_foundation) for organizing such a phenomenal event. Your generosity is life-changing and will give children a chance to stretch their minds to limitless possibilities.

We look forward to nominating more of our children for next year’s event.

For more information about Dreams Take Flight, please visit: https://dreamstakeflight.ca/

#YRCAS #YorkRegion #DreamsTakeFlight #AirCanada #DisneyLand