This post was provided by Karyn Kennedy, President & C.E.O at Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre.

Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre responds to all sexual offenses, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and violence of children and youth under 18 years of age in Toronto. At the most critical time of their lives, Boost provides the support, compassion and caring necessary to ensure these children are able to move forward with their lives, shedding their feelings of self-blame and guilt.

We have fundamentally changed the way children and youth are treated during child abuse investigations through a creative community response and partnership among local community and government agencies. We bring together all professionals involved in child abuse cases under one roof, for a coordinated, interdisciplinary response to child abuse victims in Toronto.  The multidisciplinary team includes police, child protection services, medical, mental health, victim support and advocacy services, making it possible for families to receive seamless support. We also offer a number of direct services including, primary prevention, public education, trauma assessment and therapy, and court preparation for child witnesses.

This year marks our 34^th year in the Greater Toronto Area. www.boostforkids.org.

Child abuse affects thousands of children in our city every year, yet so often it is not recognized or reported by those around the child. Everybody in our community has a moral and legal responsibility to report any concern of child maltreatment. If an individual does not report their concern, that child has fallen through a crack.

On #GivingTuesdayCA, Bokeem Woodbine, who plays Mike Milligan on Fargo, and Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre will use red sand to fill the cracks of sidewalks on our downtown streets to make visible the over 40,000 concerns of child abuse reported each year in Toronto. This event is part of the #RedSandProject, a movement that started in New York to bring awareness to marginalized populations that have fallen through the cracks of our society.

To learn more about Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre visit their charity profile >>

Updated on November 1, 2024