Leadership change at Children's Aid Foundation

Canavan replaces Gamache at the helm of national children's charity

TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Joseph C. Canavan, Board Chair of the Children's Aid Foundation, announced the departure of Len Gamache as President of the Foundation. Canavan, a senior Toronto business leader with nine years of experience on the Foundation's Board, has stepped into the role of interim Chief Executive Officer of the national children's charity effective immediately in the interest of providing a seamless, stable transition to new leadership.

Since 1979, the Children's Aid Foundation has been making a difference in the lives of children and youth by raising funds from individuals, families and corporations in support of initiatives committed to improving the lives of the abused, neglected and at-risk.

All children deserve the joys of a safe and nurturing childhood, as well as access to the means necessary to fulfill their potential. Many of these children have been born into abusive, neglectful or impoverished lives through no fault of their own. With our help they can build confidence and self esteem and achieve success that otherwise might be beyond their grasp.

Working with child welfare agencies across the country, the Children's Aid Foundation funds Canada's most innovative programs and services in the following areas:

• Prevention programs that aim to develop healthy families, strengthen communities and break the cycle of abuse, neglect and poverty
• Enrichment programs that help children and youth build skills, confidence and character through sports, recreation, arts and culture
• Education programs that support promising futures by keeping kids in school, providing scholarships for college and university, and preparing them for a life after care

The Foundation chooses to fund programs that have a powerful impact on Canada's most vulnerable children and youth, providing them with a bridge from hopelessness to hope, and guiding them onto a path leading toward a brighter future. The Board of the Children's Aid Foundation is committed to a considerable expansion of its fundraising and program support in the next few years, and felt that a change of leadership was required to achieve these goals.

"The Board would like to thank Len Gamache for his commitment to the Children's Aid Foundation during his time with the organization, and wishes him well in his future endeavours," said Canavan.

"I can assure our partners of our continued commitment to fund the sort of innovative programs and services young people in the child welfare system need to build promising futures for themselves and their families," Canavan concluded.

About the Children's Aid Foundation
One in every 25 children in Canada is at risk and needs our help. Many suffer in poverty, while others have been victims of abuse or neglect. A staggering 76,000 of them live in foster homes or a residential facility. The mission of the Children's Aid Foundation is to fund programs that give them skills and hope for a promising future. For more information, visit http://www.cafdn.org/

SOURCE: Children's Aid Foundation