For a child whose home life is unstable, school can be a safe place – but only when it’s open. KidSafe’s programming keeps school doors open during vacation breaks and after school, offering a safe, nurturing haven for those kids. More than just a safe place to play, KidSafe provides inno­vative programming, nutritious food, a community network, and skilled staff. For some of Vancouver’s most needy youngsters, KidSafe can be a lifesaver.

Like many social service organizations, KidSafe was heavily dependent on government fund­ing when they first approached BC SVP. This left little time to build a strong organization, raise additional funds to expand programs, or diversify their funding base.

Our Partner team helped out Kidsafe in three ways: helping to diversify the board by recruiting new board members from outside the social services sector, negotiating in-kind donations to support the implementation of a new gardening pro­gram and a new science program, and conducting a public relations campaign to raise the profile of KidSafe in the larger com­munity.

The results were impressive. KidSafe’s budget nearly doubled while their dependence on government funding decreased by 25%. A growing base of individual donors has been established. As a result, KidSafe was able to expand their service to help more children, with a wider variety of programs.

http://www.kidsafe.ca/