TORONTO
,
Nov. 20
/CNW/ - More than 400 guests gathered at Artscape Wychwood Barns last night to launch Child Development Institute's second century, and the inaugural Evening of Wonder gala.
The special celebration and fundraising evening raised
$400,000
for children's mental health programs at Child Development Institute, including SNAP(R) Girls Connection for aggressive girls; Camp Wimodausis for children with severe behavioural problems; and Mothers in Mind and Here to Help for children, and their mothers, who have been traumatized by family violence or sexual abuse.
"We are so pleased by the support that so many caring individuals and corporations have demonstrated tonight," said
Eleanor Shen
, co-chair of the event and a Director of Child Development Institute (CDI). "It can be difficult to tackle or even talk about the problems that CDI addresses, but the turnout for our event demonstrates the level of commitment to make a difference for these at-risk children." The event was sponsored by TD Securities Charity Auction, BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank Group, Aastra, Cormark Securities, KPMG, Rogers, Mackenzie Investments, Ernst & Young, Berkley
Canada
, Knightsbridge, Barrick,
Martin Merry Reid
, Wildeboer Dellelce, Loyalty One, and HKMB HUB International, as well as many individual donors and attendees.
"The funds raised tonight will go a long way to providing programs that have tangible results," added Linda Pincott Kitchen, co-chair of the event and also a Director of CDI. "And the event raised awareness as well as dollars. I think we helped people to understand how CDI brings hope to families who are struggling with children's mental health problems." Guests enjoyed a moving video presentation, produced and donated by Holiday Films, that portrayed 100 years of CDI's community service in
Toronto
.
Child Development Institute has more than ten locations in
Toronto
, providing programs for early learning, children's mental health intervention, and services for children who have suffered family violence and sexual abuse. CDI serves more than 4,000 children each year in
Toronto
and its award-winning model programs are replicated across
Canada
and internationally. CDI's research is leading new approaches to children's development and well-being. For additional information, please visit www.childdevelop.ca.
For further information: (photos available on request): Nancy Bennett, Director of Development & Communications, [email protected], (416) 603-1827 x 2276, cell (416) 435-7918
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