WHO YOU WILL BE SUPPORTING

At Start2Finish, we believe it takes a village to raise a child. That’s why we’ve partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Grand Erie, Halton and Hamilton and the Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton to support children through every stage of life in a united, wraparound way.

We call this journey “The Road to Success”—a reflection of what’s possible when we walk alongside a child, together.

From their earliest steps, Start2Finish is there to build a strong foundation of literacy, confidence, and belonging. As they grow, Big Brothers Big Sisters, serving Grand Erie, Halton and Hamilton, offers the power of mentorship, guiding them through life’s changes with trust and connection. And when greater challenges arise, Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton ensures they have the safety, support, and resources to keep moving forward. Together, these organizations walk with each child, every step of the way, because no one should grow up without someone in their corner.

Founded in 2000, Start2Finish is a national charitable organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child poverty by providing access to educational resources, after-school learning programs, and support that helps children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe that every child, regardless of their background or economic situation, deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Our mission is to nurture the mind, body, and social well-being of children through comprehensive programs that combine literacy development, physical activity, mentorship, and trauma-informed care. We work in close partnership with schools and communities to deliver high-impact, evidence-based initiatives for children in grades 1 to 6 through our Running and Reading Clubs, Brainworx virtual learning, and Backpack and Book Vending Machine programs. For students in grades 7 and 8, our Junior Coach Mentorship Program provides leadership opportunities and builds confidence through guided peer mentorship and community engagement.

Serving marginalized and underserved communities across Canada, we ensure children not only receive critical academic support but also feel seen, valued, and empowered. At Start2Finish, we are not just helping children succeed in school—we are building a generation of resilient, hopeful leaders who are ready to shape a brighter, more equitable future.

With a mission to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people and a vision of helping young people realize their full potential, Big Brothers Big Sisters has a history of being a community leader and champion for young people, delivering impactful mentoring programs to more than 1,500 young people each year.

Many children and youth in our community struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives, such as detrimental living conditions, family violence, risk factors for mental health, school issues and identity challenges. These barriers, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), cause the presence of toxic stress in a young person’s life, which, if not reduced or eliminated, can lead to long-term harmful physical, mental, and social outcomes.

Every $1 invested in BBBS programming returns between $18-$23 to society through higher incomes, volunteerism, and charitable donations.

Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton (CAFH) is a charity established in 1990, dedicated to supporting children, youth, and families receiving services from the Halton Children’s Aid Society (Halton CAS).

Our mission is to provide life-changing opportunities, essential resources and advocacy to support those who have faced abuse, neglect, loss, and unstable housing. In partnership with the Halton CAS, our work is transforming lives for the better by providing the stepping stones toward healing, growth, education, and the creation of joyful, lasting childhood memories.

Halton CAS is a government-funded agency responsible for investigating and responding to all concerns of a child at risk. However, our programs are either insufficiently funded or not funded at all by the government; therefore, we rely on donations from the community to sustain the vital programs developed to address the specific needs of the children, youth and families with whom we work. We provide the essentials necessary for healthy childhood development, the stepping stones for independence, and support for families to strengthen their bonds.

We strive to ensure that everyone receiving services from the Halton CAS has what they need to be safe, healthy and feel cared for… always!