VICTORIA - A trust fund, B.C.’s Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund, has awarded a total of $95,000 for six projects to support adoption in B.C. - five of which are specifically directed towards assisting First Nations communities.

Why It Matters:

The independent trust fund was established in 2003 by the Ministry of Children and Family Development to help British Columbia’s children and youth in care who are awaiting adoption or other life-long connections. The fund is managed by the Victoria Foundation.

Quotes:

Hon. Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“All children and youth need the love, security and support of a lifelong, caring family. The grants provided this year through the Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund will help promote adoption awareness while working to preserve cultural connections for First Nation and Métis children and youth.”

Geord Holland, Chair of the Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund -

“The dedicated work of the trust fund committee members this past year has once again seen results that benefit children, youth, adoptive parents and their communities across all of B.C.”

“Our strong communication and collaboration with MCFD allows for growing collaboration between the ministry responsible for children and youth in care and the hundreds of community organizations who wish to help in some way to find families or permanent connections for those in care. More can always be done as we hope to grow the trust fund to provide the support needed by our children and youth in years to come.”

Quick Facts:

• In 2009, the trust fund was re-named after Lex Reynolds to honour the late lawyer, children’s advocate, adoptive father, and the fund’s founding co-chair.

• Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services of Kamloops will receive $20,000 to promote adoption and permanency arrangements for Métis youth who have been in foster care for a significant part of their lives.

• CHOICES Adoption & Counselling Services of Victoria will also receive $20,000 to create and distribute media profiles of First Nations children awaiting adoption and permanency.

• Coast Tsimshian Academy in Port Simpson has been granted $15,000 to teach traditional practices to Aboriginal Children in care.

• Lalum’utul’ Smun’eem Child and Family Services will receive $12,000 to offer programs that engage Cowichan Tribes adoptive families in cultural activities.

• The Adoptive Families Association of BC will receive $8,000 to develop an intensive, adoption-focused awareness and education program using face-to-face and online techniques.

• Okanagan Nation Alliance will use $20,000 to raise awareness of the importance of developing culturally appropriate adoption services for children and families within their communities.

• As of Aug. 31 of this year, there were 8,133 children and youth in care in B.C.; more than 1,000 of them are waiting for a permanent family.

• Since 2003, $821,500 has been awarded to 156 projects across the province. These include 17 mini-grants of $1,500 each distributed earlier this year.

Learn More:

To learn more about the Lex Reynolds Adoption and Permanency Trust Fund, visit http://www.connectingforlife.ca

Information on how to adopt in B.C. can be found at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/adoption/index.htm

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Manager, Media Relations
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

Rory Grewar
Director of Special Funds
Victoria Foundation
250 381-5532 ext. 226
rgrewar@victoriafoundation.bc.ca