The Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) is stepping up its commitment to young people across Canada with an even more ambitious plan to fund ministry and outreach to children, youth and young adults this year.
At its November meeting, the AFC board approved a campaign plan for Say Yes! to Kids 2022, setting a $500,000 goal.
Here in the Diocese of Fredericton, we already have experience in raising money for causes that benefit young people. Many parishes participate in breakfast and lunch programs in local schools.
As well, our Strike Out Childhood Hunger bowling tournaments saw tens of thousands of dollars raised around the province for student hunger initiatives.
The Diocese has already benefitted from the Say Yes! To Kids campaign. Last year, it awarded a grant of $15,000 to Inner City Youth Ministry.
Here is ICYM’s director, Erin Rideout:
“Inner City Youth Ministry was blessed to be a recipient of a grant from the Anglican foundation’s Say Yes! to Kids campaign in 2021 for our Lunch Connection program.
“The grant ensured that our ministry could continue to provide subsidized school lunches to children. Many of the children we serve experience food insecurity and poverty, only made more pressing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The “Say Yes! to Kids campaign” (and everyone who contributed to it) responded to the very real needs of kids across the country impacted by the pandemic and the needs of ministries that are stretched attempting to meet the needs.
“Not only was it a fun and creative campaign, but as a small organization, we appreciated the care put into making the process accessible and straightforward!”
Michelle Hauser, AFC’s development and communications consultant, encourages parishes, youth groups, ACWs, Sunday schools and other groups to consider forming a fundraising team and participate in the campaign, which runs from April 1-June 30 nationwide.
Hauser says teams will be able to set their own fundraising goals, and they will receive support with communications, case development, and training from AFC throughout the campaign.
“Teams will also benefit from an AFC-led leadership giving campaign that will boost their efforts, including matching gifts.”
The first step is to watch a webinar on the campaign.
“If young people are a priority for your parish — and you want to strengthen your parish budget to seed, expand, or sustain youth-focused ministry — I encourage you to attend one of AFC’s webinars this month to learn more about the Say Yes! to Kids program,” said Michelle.
Click here to access webinar times and dates.
To learn more, check out the FAQ page.
“I also encourage anyone who has questions to reach out to me directly,” says Hauser, who can be reached at mhauser@anglicanfoundation.org.
Photo caption: The bag lunch assembly line, with Royal Canadian Navy Reserves members Sailor 3rd Class Ben Hallewell and Acting Sub Lt. Jason Stephen; and Joe O’Leary (Knights of Columbus). The three were volunteers with the Lunch Connection, part of Inner City Youth Ministry, helping pack bag lunches for Saint John students. McKnight file photo