A Message from Sally Johnson

As we share this edition of our newsletter, highlighting Agency updates from July through September 2026, I want to thank our staff, caregivers, volunteers, community partners, and supporters for their ongoing commitment to children, youth, and families.

The past few months have provided many opportunities to strengthen relationships, enhance services, and deepen our connections within the community. I am also excited that York Region CAS is participating in the Ontario For All campaign, reflecting our shared commitment to fostering inclusive, welcoming, and supportive communities where everyone can thrive. We were also honoured to welcome Elder Betty Ross, a Residential School Survivor from Cross Lake First Nation, for a screening of Return to the Falls and community discussion. Her story of resilience, healing, and reconciliation provided a meaningful opportunity for reflection and reinforced the importance of listening to Indigenous voices as we continue our commitment to reconciliation.

As we look ahead, I encourage our community to support Dress Purple Day on October 29, 2026. This annual awareness campaign reminds us that supporting children, youth, and families is a shared responsibility. Whether by wearing purple, sharing information on social media, or starting conversations in your community, every action helps spread the message that we are #HereToHelp.

I remain committed to building trust, advancing equity and inclusion, and ensuring children, youth, and families receive the support they need to thrive. Thank you for being part of this important work. For questions, ideas, or feedback, please contact us at communications@yorkcas.org.

Sincerely, 

Sally Johnson

Elder Betty Ross Shares Story of Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation with York Region Community

York Region CAS welcomed Elder Betty Ross, a Residential School Survivor from Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake First Nation), for a special screening of Return to the Falls on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Newmarket. The event brought together York Region CAS staff, and community partners to hear directly from Indigenous voices and reflect on the ongoing impacts of the Residential School system on Indigenous children, families and communities.

Elder Betty Ross - Return to the Falls | York Region CAS

Alongside Elder Sandy Robinson and filmmaker Eppo Eerkes, Elder Betty shared her powerful story of resilience, healing, and reconciliation with staff, community partners, and students from across York Region. These meaningful conversations created opportunities to learn from Indigenous voices, deepen understanding of the lasting impacts of Residential Schools, and reflect on our shared responsibility to advance reconciliation.

Click Here to watch a recap of the event.

Dress Purple Day 2026

On October 29, 2026, York Region CAS will join child welfare and community partners across Ontario in recognizing Dress Purple Day.

This year's theme, It Takes a Community (#HereToHelp), highlights the important role we all play in supporting the safety, well-being, and success of children, youth, and families. Dress Purple Day celebrates the people, relationships, and services that help families thrive and reminds us that support is available when it is needed most.

Ontario for All

York Region continues to experience rapid population growth, increasing poverty, and rising affordability pressures, creating community needs that are outpacing available provincial funding. The recently released York Region Underfunding Study highlights these challenges and provides recommendations to help address funding gaps across essential community services. York Region CAS is proud to have participated in the collaborative committee that guided this work, helping to ensure the funding challenges facing the child welfare sector were reflected in the study’s findings and recommendations.

360°kids Opens Herefordshire House to Support Youth Transitioning from Care

On October 6, 2026, York Region CAS was proud to join 360°kids, community partners, funders and supporters for the official opening of Herefordshire House in Newmarket. The opening marks an important milestone in addressing youth homelessness and strengthening supports for young people transitioning to independence. Herefordshire House will become part of 360°kids’ growing network of youth housing programs across York Region, helping ensure that youth have access to stable housing, meaningful supports and opportunities for success, no matter where they are on their journey.

Coming Together to Help Children Start the School Year Strong

The York Region Children’s Fund is incredibly grateful to The Salvation Army, Central United Church Unionville, and The Vessel Hub for their generous donations of backpacks and school supplies in support of our back-to-school initiative.

As children and youth prepare to return to the classroom, having the right supplies can make a meaningful difference in helping them feel confident, prepared, and ready to learn. 

York Region CAS Proud to Support HALP Park Grand Opening

On September 1, York Region CAS proudly participated as an event sponsor at the grand opening celebration of HALP Park in East Gwillimbury. The community celebration welcomed more than 5,000 residents, community organizations, and local partners who gathered to explore the new park, enjoy live entertainment and family-friendly activities, and celebrate this exciting addition to the community. As part of our ongoing foster care recruitment efforts, York Region CAS hosted an information booth where staff connected with residents, shared resources, and answered questions about becoming a foster parent.

York Region CAS Youth Share Their Voices with Ministry Representatives

York Region CAS was proud to welcome representatives from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, including Assistant Deputy Minister Linda Chihab, for a meaningful discussion with youth and staff.

During the meeting, youth had the opportunity to share their experiences navigating the child welfare system. They spoke candidly about both the positive supports they have received and the challenges they have encountered, offering valuable insights into how services can continue to evolve and improve.

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (Maple) Hosts York Region CAS Youth

On Tuesday, July 21, some of our Agency’s youth had the chance to visit Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario – Maple to participate in their “Exploring Wellness Through Painting” event facilitated by one of the Hub’s mental health clinicians. The visit provided an opportunity for youth to engage in creative wellness activities and tour the Hub hosted by their very own Youth Advisory Council. We are grateful for our partnership with the Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario – Maple and appreciate their ongoing commitment to supporting youth through accessible, youth-centred services.

International Youth Day 2026: Different Contexts, Common Aspirations

Every year on August 12, International Youth Day celebrates the voices, resilience, and aspirations of young people around the world. This year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” recognizes that while youth come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, they share common hopes for education, opportunity, belonging, and a brighter future.

At York Region CAS, we are proud to support youth through initiatives that empower them to succeed.

York Region Children's Aid Society's Youth Advisory Council

Established in 2022, the York Region CAS Youth Advisory Council was created to help provide direct youth voice to the activities, programs and changes occurring within the Agency. The Council's mission is to ensure that the voice of youth are included in all aspects of decision-making.

Click Here to learn more about the Youth Advisory Council and some of the impactful projects that they have worked on.

Staff, Volunteer and Foster Parent Appreciation Event

In September, York Region CAS welcomed staff, volunteers and foster parents to the Newmarket Community Centre and Lions Hall for a special day of appreciation, connection and celebration. Centered around the theme of Growing Together, the event provided an opportunity to honour the incredible individuals who dedicate their time, compassion and expertise to supporting our Agency and the children, youth and families in our community. While no amount of recognition can fully express our gratitude, we hope this event served as a small token of appreciation.

York Region CAS Raises Every Child Matters Flag to Mark Truth and Reconciliation Month



On September 1, York Region Children's Aid Society raised the Every Child Matters flag to mark the beginning of Truth and Reconciliation Month, a time dedicated to reflection, learning and meaningful action in support of reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. The Every Child Matters flag is a visible reminder of the children who never returned home from residential schools, the Survivors who continue to carry the impacts of that history, and the families and communities who have been affected across generations.

Kinship and Alternate Care Awareness Week



In recognition of Kinship and Alternate Care Week, York Region CAS' Kinship Services Team created personalized, handwritten thank-you cards for each of our Agency's kin and kith caregivers. Caregivers also received a small gift as a token of appreciation for the meaningful role they play in the lives of children, youth, and families. Kinship families help preserve and strengthen the connections to family, culture, and community that shape a child or youth's identity and sense of belonging. Their support can help families stay together and provide loving care when a child or youth cannot safely remain at home. Through their compassion, dedication, and commitment, kinship caregivers provide stability during challenging times while helping children and youth maintain important family and community connections.

Turn Your Travel Change into Change for Children with the York Region Children's Fund

Coming home from vacation with leftover foreign coins or bills? Instead of leaving them in a drawer, donate them to the York Region Children’s Fund’s Currency for Kids Drive and help support local children and families. We accept: foreign coins and bills, U.S. currency, Euros, Pesos, Pounds, Yen, and more!

Every donation, no matter how small, helps fund programs and services that make a difference for children in our community.

York Region CAS Speakers Bureau

The Speakers Bureau provides free educational presentations to professionals and community groups that work directly with children and youth.

The Duty to Report and Support presentation explains how Children’s Aid Societies partner with community organizations to strengthen family well-being and promote child safety. It outlines our shared responsibility to support families and keep children safe, including the legal duty to report concerns about a child’s well-being to a Children’s Aid Society.

Together in Care: The Power of Foster Families at York Region CAS

Join longtime foster parents Janet Seow and Deanna Dent (alongside her children), as they share their experiences, reflections, and the meaningful moments that have shaped their fostering journeys with York Region CAS. Their dedication and the strong, supportive connections they’ve built with children and youth demonstrates the profound impact foster families make every day in our community.

We are proud to highlight their voices as part of our continued efforts to bring greater awareness to fostering and encourage others to consider opening their hearts and homes.

If you'd like to learn more, join us at our Foster Care Information Session on November 24, 2026 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Register by emailing fostering@yorkcas.org or visit our website to learn more:

http://www.yorkcas.org/foster-caregivers/

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