‘Building Abilities for Life’ Campaign Tops Goal; Hundreds of Area Children to Benefit from Speech and Language Treatment

Nearly 1,000 children in the region will benefit from speech and language treatment, after the Building Abilities for Life campaign surpassed its $250,000 goal.

And the path to crossing the fundraising finish line goes straight through Port Hope.

Five Counties Children’s Centre is pleased to announce its Building Abilities for Life campaign launched last year has raised more than $277,000. This surpasses the quarter-million-dollar goal and means that speech and language treatment will be provided to approximately 980 children across the region. Financial support from the Port Hope & District Health Care Foundation, which donated $53,000 to the campaign, is credited for pushing the fundraiser over the top.

“This achievement was greatly enhanced by the generous support of the Port Hope & District Health Care Foundation,” says Scott Pepin, Chief Executive Officer of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “The Foundation’s support of our ‘Building Abilities for Life’ campaign means more kids will receive the speech and language treatment they need that will impact the rest of their lives. We’d like to thank all our donors for believing every child has something to say and, because of your help, more kids will be able to do just that.”

Matt Clayton, President of the Port Hope & District Health Care Foundation, says the organization is proud to be helping local kids and families get the early intervention that is key to building their abilities for life.

“We recognize the incredible work Five Counties Children’s Centre does, not only in Northumberland County, but across the entire region it serves,” Clayton notes. “We know that getting speech and language treatment ensures children have access to the necessary adaptive equipment and therapies to overcome physical challenges in order to improve speech and language skills that are so important to improve the quality of their lives.”

Amidst the recent fundraising success, there is also the reality that the need for speech-language and communication therapies continues to grow every year. Longer waiting lists mean some children and families can’t immediately access assistance, putting them further behind.

“For some kids, the things other children do like telling a family member about their day once they’re home, talking on the phone to a friend, or having the confidence to speak up at school would be impossible hurdles for them without professional support,” Pepin says. “Children with communication challenges want and need to be heard and understood in whatever ways are possible for them.” 

Five Counties continues to raise funds, so that kids and their families can receive services in-person, by phone or virtually. This ensures children learn how to feed, swallow, improve speech and language skills and have access to adaptive communication equipment when they need help the most. This investment carries forward into adulthood, where having these improved skills will continue to provide a positive impact on their quality of life. 

“As the just-completed Building Abilities for Life campaign demonstrates, our donors’ generosity is part of the solution that will enable hundreds of kids and families to get the early intervention that is key to building their abilities for life,” adds Lyn Giles, Director of Fund Development with Five Counties.

For ways to donate, visit Support Our Kids at Five Counties Children's Centre.