Last year was a busy year for the Board. We have registered a DBA (doing business as) name and from now on we shall use the name “SCL Children’s Fund” for our conduct of business and operations. We have also adopted a new logo which has replaced the old logo on our website and our letterheads. We believe both changes are improvements to our public profile.

 

In an effort to reach out to more children that are in need of help and to identify gaps in child care services, the Foundation has for the first time in 2023 opened up applications for small grants to over forty non-profit child care organizations in the Lower Mainland. After careful reviews by the Program Committee, the Foundation provided grants of $5,000 to $10,000 to the following four organizations:

 

- Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House for supporUng a summer tutoring program for children in the DTES/Strathcona area

- BC Centre for Ability to purchase communicaUon devices for children who cannot speak

- Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House for a family drop-in program mainly for indigenous children and families

- Marpole-Oakridge Family Place for a drop-in program for children with sensory processing challenges

 

In addition to the above grants, the Foundation also provided funding to support a boys’ leadership and mentorship program at Britannia School. In China, we continued to support the Sunrise reading program for children in rural areas. In total, the Foundation expended $72,000 in 2023 to help children in Canada and China. More information on these projects can be found on our website.

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The Foundation held a fundraising dinner in October 2023 and raised $50,000. At the year-end, a long-time supporter of the Foundation made a special donation of $35,000 with a designation that the funds be used on children’s programs in Canada. As a result of these fundraising activities, the Foundation ended the year 2023 with a cash balance of $130,000, leaving us in a comfortable position to continue our work to help children who are in need.

 

In 2023 we were very happy to welcome three new members of the Board of Directors: Joanny Lu, Flora Song and Emily Zhong. These new Directors have brought new energy and ideas into the work of the Foundation.

 

I would like to thank the Board and volunteers for their diligent work in delivering meaningful programs to the children. We are also most grateful to the many supporters of the Foundation whose generous donations over the years have made it possible for our Foundation to do its work in helping children that are in need.

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For the Children,

Bobo Bao, President

SCL Children’s Fund