Watch: Anne Leclair talks to local charity Cloverdale about the impact of Centraide’s funding
PIERREFONDS, Que. — First it was “Black Friday,” followed by “Cyber Monday,” but with “Giving Tuesday,” it may be time to think of others.
One of Quebec’s largest charities, Centraide of Greater Montreal, is in desperate of need another $1.5 million just to match the amount collected in last year’s fundraising campaign.
Many worry that if this year’s campaign doesn’t rake in more money, fewer families will get what they need to succeed.
Montreal is home to the highest poverty rate in Canada at 22.8 per cent and statistics reveal children often pay the price for living in poverty.
READ MORE: 25 years since Canada vowed to end child poverty, where are we now?
“We know that in areas that are less privileged, one child out of three will not be ready to go to kindergarten, while in other areas it’s one of five,” said Lili-Anna Pereša, President and Executive Director for Centraide of Greater Montreal.
WATCH: Lili-Anna Pereša on Centraide’s impact on poverty in Montreal
Cloverdale Multi-Ressources is one of 360 local charities in the city that relies on Centraide for most of its funding.
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But with more than a million dollars to go to reach the annual fundraising goal, some are concerned that that funding may not last.
“We need more programs like this, now with the cuts, we’re on the top of the list.” said Jennifer Nolan, a childcare educator at Cloverdale.
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Many children who participate in the program don’t have access to daycare, and in many cases don’t speak French or English.
Learning basic motor and language skills helps prepare them for school.
“It’s extremely important, the school’s always give us feedback,” said Nolan.
“Usually the children who have come here have always succeeded better in kindergarten.”
READ MORE: Report shows Montreal remains one of the poorest cities in Canada
While the children are learning new skills, so are their parents. Cloverdale also offers workshops for adults who want to get back on the job market.
“Some of us have never had an opportunity to work with computers, some of us have, but we don’t know most of the programs available,” said Mary Mole-Coleman, who said she feels fortunate to have new tools for the workforce.
“I wouldn’t have felt comfortable just going somewhere without these skills. I wouldn’t have made it without these skills!”
And neither would many of the children.
“We believe that early childhood development is so important to fight poverty and they do that so very well at Cloverdale,” said Pereša, who said she hopes more people will feel the push to dig into their pockets to help.
READ MORE: Debt levels rise fastest east of Ontario as jobs, incomes lag
“We had the Black Friday, the Cyber Monday, and I think it’s important for the community to be there on Giving Tuesday!”
To find out more on how to make a donation to Centraide, click here.
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