Latest news with #ChildrenFirstCanada
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Children First Canada Celebrates 10 Years of Impact and Honours 10 Iconic Champions for Children
TORONTO, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Children First Canada (CFC) is proud to mark its 10th anniversary by celebrating a decade of impact in advancing the rights and well-being of children, and by honouring 10 extraordinary Canadian leaders with the Champions for Children Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership has significantly shaped policies, programs, and public awareness in support of Canada's 8 million children. The honourees will be celebrated at two milestone events, beginning today in Toronto (May 27 at the St. Regis Hotel) and Calgary (September 23 at the Fairmont Palliser), from 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. These celebrations bring together champions from across business, philanthropy, healthcare, public service, and civil society. 2025 Champions for Children Award Recipients: The Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society Darren Entwistle, CEO, TELUS Mary Jo Haddad, Founding Chair of CFC, Chancellor of the University of Windsor, Corporate Director, Past President and CEO of SickKids Wes Hall, Founder, BlackNorth Initiative, Chancellor of University of Toronto Gail O'Brien, Past Chair of CFC, Trustee of SickKids, Strategic Advisor to O'Brien Institute of Public Health and One Child Every Child Alex Munter, CEO, Canadian Medical Association Kathleen Taylor, Chair of SickKids, Chancellor of York University, Past Chair of RBC Benjie Thomas, CEO, KPMG Canada Karen Young, CEO, United Way of Calgary and Area In Memoriam The Hon. Landon Pearson, O.C., "The Children's Senator" and founder of the Landon Pearson Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children's Rights "Our Champions for Children have raised their hands and taken action in the face of tremendous challenges facing Canada's kids," said Sara Austin, Founder & CEO of Children First Canada. "Together, we've made enormous progress, but our work is far from over. Canada ranks just 66th on the Kids Rights Index. We are renewing our commitment to make this the best place in the world for kids to grow up." A Decade of ImpactSince its founding in 2015, Children First Canada has become the leading national charity focused on children's rights. Through research, advocacy, and youth empowerment—including the flagship Raising Canada report—CFC has spotlighted critical threats to childhood and mobilized action. CFC has directly impacted the lives of over 8 million children through initiatives like the Young Canadians' Parliament, National Child Day, and the Being, Belonging, Becoming program. Later this year, CFC will also host the Future is NOW! Awards to honour 10 outstanding young changemakers across Canada. Join the CelebrationProceeds from the events will directly support CFC's research, advocacy, and youth-led programs. Donations made will be matched up to 50% through Rogers Birdies for Kids. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit: Media Availability:Sara Austin, award recipients, and youth leaders will be available for interviews at the Toronto event on May 27. To coordinate, please contact: Andrea Chrysanthouachrysanthou@ 416-797-8194 About Children First CanadaChildren First Canada is a national charity dedicated to making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up. Through research, advocacy, and youth empowerment, CFC defends children's rights and equips the next generation to lead SOURCE Children First Canada View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
27-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Children First Canada Celebrates 10 Years of Impact and Honours 10 Iconic Champions for Children
TORONTO, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Children First Canada (CFC) is proud to mark its 10th anniversary by celebrating a decade of impact in advancing the rights and well-being of children, and by honouring 10 extraordinary Canadian leaders with the Champions for Children Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership has significantly shaped policies, programs, and public awareness in support of Canada's 8 million children. The honourees will be celebrated at two milestone events, beginning today in Toronto (May 27 at the St. Regis Hotel) and Calgary (September 23 at the Fairmont Palliser), from 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM. These celebrations bring together champions from across business, philanthropy, healthcare, public service, and civil society. 2025 Champions for Children Award Recipients: The Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director, First Nations Child and Family Caring Society Darren Entwistle, CEO, TELUS Mary Jo Haddad, Founding Chair of CFC, Chancellor of the University of Windsor, Corporate Director, Past President and CEO of SickKids Wes Hall, Founder, BlackNorth Initiative, Chancellor of University of Toronto Gail O'Brien, Past Chair of CFC, Trustee of SickKids, Strategic Advisor to O'Brien Institute of Public Health and One Child Every Child Alex Munter, CEO, Canadian Medical Association Kathleen Taylor, Chair of SickKids, Chancellor of York University, Past Chair of RBC Benjie Thomas, CEO, KPMG Canada Karen Young, CEO, United Way of Calgary and Area In Memoriam The Hon. Landon Pearson, O.C., "The Children's Senator" and founder of the Landon Pearson Centre for the Study of Childhood and Children's Rights "Our Champions for Children have raised their hands and taken action in the face of tremendous challenges facing Canada's kids," said Sara Austin, Founder & CEO of Children First Canada. "Together, we've made enormous progress, but our work is far from over. Canada ranks just 66th on the Kids Rights Index. We are renewing our commitment to make this the best place in the world for kids to grow up." A Decade of Impact Since its founding in 2015, Children First Canada has become the leading national charity focused on children's rights. Through research, advocacy, and youth empowerment—including the flagship Raising Canada report—CFC has spotlighted critical threats to childhood and mobilized action. CFC has directly impacted the lives of over 8 million children through initiatives like the Young Canadians' Parliament, National Child Day, and the Being, Belonging, Becoming program. Later this year, CFC will also host the Future is NOW! Awards to honour 10 outstanding young changemakers across Canada. Join the Celebration Proceeds from the events will directly support CFC's research, advocacy, and youth-led programs. Donations made will be matched up to 50% through Rogers Birdies for Kids. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit: Media Availability: Sara Austin, award recipients, and youth leaders will be available for interviews at the Toronto event on May 27. To coordinate, please contact: Andrea Chrysanthou [email protected] 416-797-8194 About Children First Canada Children First Canada is a national charity dedicated to making Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up. Through research, advocacy, and youth empowerment, CFC defends children's rights and equips the next generation to lead change.
Calgary Herald
07-05-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: Tiny brains, big feelings: Why infant mental health deserves our attention
Every child deserves the chance to grow up feeling safe, loved and understood. Yet, when we talk about mental health in Canada we often picture adults or teens, not babies or toddlers. But mental health begins long before a child can talk. It begins at birth. Article content Article content May 7 is National Child and Youth Mental Health Day — a time to reflect on how we support young people's well-being. It's also an opportunity to expand our understanding of what mental health really means and how early it starts. Article content Article content For many, infant mental health sounds like a contradiction. How can a baby have mental health? They're not old enough to understand their feelings, let alone express them. But mental health isn't just about thoughts or behaviours — it's about connection, safety and the early relationships that begin from Day 1. Article content Article content A newborn's well-being depends on the presence of caring adults. When that care includes comfort, responsiveness and delight — when someone truly falls in love with that tiny human — it lays the foundation for healthy development. That first bond becomes a child's earliest experience of trust, safety and love. Article content These interactions aren't just comforting — they shape the brain. In the first years of life, a million new neural connections are formed every second. By age five, a child's brain is already 90 per cent the size of an adult's. Those early moments — the cuddles, soothing words, the times a parent shows up even when it's hard — build the foundation for emotional regulation, learning and connection that lasts a lifetime. Early attachment sets the stage for strong mental health through adulthood. Article content Article content Still, parenting can feel overwhelming. When families face financial pressure, housing instability, mental-health concerns or a lack of support, it becomes harder to respond in ways that nurture connection — even when love is abundant. Article content This is not about being a perfect parent. It's about helping caregivers feel supported so they can support their children. Article content One in five children in Canada struggles with their mental health, according to a 2023 report from Children First Canada. If we want to change that, we need to start earlier — long before a child can describe how they feel. If we want to reduce the growing number of school-aged children experiencing anxiety or behavioural challenges, we need to invest in mental health long before school starts — beginning in the cradle.
