- The RBC Foundation donated $15,000 Thursday to help fund the Kids Are Kids disability awareness program at the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent. From left, Michael Caverly, RBC regional manager; Judy Serruys, King Street branch manager; Tammy and Jeff Nussey, parents; Jaden Nussey, Kids Are Kids client; Christopher June, RBC Keil Drive branch manager; Myranda Michaud, transition co-ordinator with the centre; Nicole Piette relationship manager and RBC Foundation director; and Art Stirling, executive director of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent.
Thanks to a funding boost from the RBC Foundation, a program that helps educate kids in the classroom about disability awareness in Chatham-Kent will continue.
The Foundation donated $15,000 Thursday to the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent’s Kids Are Kids disability awareness program.
LEADWAVE Technologies from Chatham Voice on Vimeo.
Myranda Michaud, transition co-ordinator with the centre, said the program has reached about 300 students so far, and it has the potential to grow exponentially.
“This started with just kids with physical disabilities,” she said. “We’ve expanded it to include those with developmental disabilities. It’s great to be able to continue this. And we stay in touch with the teachers.”
Michaud said the program, which received initial funding last year, has already helped six students and their classmates better connect.
“Those six students who felt excluded at school reported many positive experiences after the presentations. With this additional funding, we can expand our services and develop the program to include new materials and new disabilities for continued success.”
Parents agree the program works.
Tammy Nussey, whose daughter Jaden is part of Kids Are Kids, said the program helped everyone in the classroom.
“I loved how the kids felt more comfortable around Jaden,” she said. “And the kids asked her about her likes and dislikes. She felt really special.”
Michaud said Kids Are Kids begins at the treatment centre before moving into the classroom.
“It starts here at the centre, with families who have kids in the program. We talk about customizing the plan with the family first and see what they’d like out of it,” she said.
The RBC Foundation is in its second year helping fund Kids Are Kids, part of its multi-year pledge of support to the treatment centre.
Michael Caverly, RBC regional vice-president, said the bank is proud to partner with the Children’s Treatment Centre.
“The important work of the centre, helping the future generation of young Canadians, is very much aligned with our corporate goals of serving our customers and the communities in which we operate,” he said in a media release.
