AFC’s 2nd Annual Say Yes! to Kids Campaign Now Underway
On Tuesday, April 19 the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) kicked-off its 2nd annual Say Yes! to Kids Campaign with a live online launch.
“Last year we knew we had hit on a real need within the church,” said Dr. Scott Brubacher, Executive Director. “This year’s campaign has focused on laying the groundwork for Say Yes! to Kids to be a long-term effort, one we believe can become a source of sustainable funding for youth-focused ministry and outreach across the Canadian church.”
The Most Rev. Peter Wall, AFC’s Gift Consultant spoke about this year’s shift to a partnership fundraising model that has seen AFC working alongside parishes and dioceses to support the church’s champions for youth, “providing them with the mentorship, case development, and a marketing support framework for a national fundraising campaign that will elevate the visibility and impact of their ministries and programs.”
Michelle Hauser, AFC’s Development and Communications Consultant, reported that there are approximately 20 fundraising teams at different stages of readiness to launch their local campaigns. “Campaign goals range from $2,500 up to $20,000,” said Hauser. “Some are taking the Say Yes! to Kids and sing challenge, and others are developing their own challenges.”
Highlights of teams who have joined the Say Yes to Kids family so far include:
- Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, in the Diocese of New Westminster: Drama skills development program where young people can explore dramatic arts and build the kind of confidence that will carry them through adolescence and beyond.
- Christ Church, Amherst, in the Diocese of Nova Scotia & PEI: Community partnership effort to support young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
- The Parish of Salisbury and Havelock in the Diocese of Fredericton: “All-in for Youth” in 2022 and 2023, focusing on hospitality and growing community connections.
- St. George’s Anglican Church, London, in the Diocese of Huron: Coming back from the pandemic bigger and stronger than before by revamping the church’s youth spaces to meet the needs of those who are beginning to return to in-person programs.
- Montreal Diocesan Theological College in the Diocese of Montreal: Supporting opportunities for vocational growth by funding more mission internships.
- St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Thunder Bay, in the Diocese of Algoma: Raising money to provide Indigenous students who are graduating from high school with bursaries to support post-secondary studies.
Hauser says the campaign will run until June 30 and stresses that there is still plenty of time for parishes to form a team and join the movement. “The application deadline has been extended to Tuesday, May 3. AFC has secured a matching gift of $50,000 to provide a boost of $1000 for up to 50 teams who reach a thousand dollars toward their fundraising goal.”
Archbishop Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and Chair of AFC’s Board of Directors, joined the online launch event. “The depth and variety of youth-focused ministry and outreach across the Canadian church we have seen through this initiative speaks volumes about our capacity and willingness to be a force for hope in our communities,” said Archbishop Nicholls. “And a force for hope is exactly what we need to be, especially in these times, when it is so easy to give in to despair. Our Say Yes! to Kids champions are wonderful examples of sacrificial love and service, showing us in ways large and small how to be adaptable, how to persevere, and how to keep the faith amid uncertainty.”
For more information on how to participate in Say Yes! to Kids or to view the current roster of teams visit www.anglicanfoundation.org/sayyestokids or email Michelle Hauser at [email protected].
