Mental Health & Wellness

Mentorship

DCAF supports and assists with the facilitation of a one-to-one mentoring program to recruit, train and support up to 20 adult mentors to mentor a selected cohort of 10-15 crown wards aged 13-17 years old in DCAS care.

Counselling

DCAF provides support for counselling on behalf of children and families to help reduce the risk of abuse and neglect before they happen.   This funding assists those children who are not in the direct care of Durham Children’s Aid Society, with the hope of preventing situations that require having to bring the children into direct care.

With your assistance DCAF helps in building a future for youth, supporting independent living when necessary and the high costs associated with obtaining a post-secondary school education and transitioning directly to the workforce.

Independant Living

Most of us had some help from family… helping us make the transition to living independently, but youth in the care of CAS have no family to help with finding, paying for and furnishing their first apartment. While the Ontario government provides funding to cover the cost of living for children in the care of CAS, there is very little support available once they turn 18.    The Foundation provides financial assistance for youth moving on to independence to help purchase the necessities such as pots and pans, toiletries, and furniture.