A Message from Ginelle Skerritt

Welcome to the York Region Children’s Aid Society’s quarterly community newsletter. In this edition of The Pulse, I am excited to provide you, our community partners, with recent updates on our transformation process from October to December.

The past three months have been an extremely productive period for our agency, and we were able to accomplish some significant milestones that will help bring our strategic plan to life.

We released a "child-friendly" version of our strategic plan in the form of a colouring book. Our hopes are that this new resource can be used as a tool to develop trust with the children, youth and families that we serve. You can find all of this and more by scrolling through this newsletter! We finalized consultations with community partners, staff, volunteers, Board members and former youth in care about the new department that was created last February. We clarified the purpose and role of the department, and, through an inclusive process, we worked with a consulting team on a new name that describes the new department’s contribution. We will soon be searching for a new Director of the Equity, Innovation and Community Engagement department.  

As we head into 2024, we maintain our focus on our youth and ensure that their voices are heard and prioritized to improve their supports.

As always, your comments and/or suggestions are welcomed, and we look forward to hearing from you about how we can create a better York Region for children, youth and families through communications@yorkcas.org.

Sincerely, 

Ginelle Skerritt

York Region CAS Child-Friendly Strategic Plan

York Region CAS Introduces Child-Friendly Strategic Plan

In our effort to centre the children, youth, and families of York Region as part of our new approach to child welfare redesign, York Region CAS is proud to formally introduce the child-friendly version of the agency’s strategic plan.

In this version of the strategic plan, children, youth, and families that are introduced to the Agency’s circle of care will have the opportunity to learn more about York Region CAS in a simple and effective way in the form of a colouring book.

"The Youth in Care Project" Premieres at TIFF



“The Youth in Care Project” is a documentary and call to action. The film illuminates the experiences of young people in care and captures the raw and unfiltered stories of young people who have experienced the child welfare system, sharing their journeys, triumphs, and dreams. It’s a testament to the resilience and strength of these remarkable individuals. Several community partners will be working together to create an opportunity for a showing of the film. Stay tuned!

St. Andrew's and St. Anne's Colleges donate to children, youth, and families served by YRCAS through their Holiday Heroes Program

On December 11th, York Region CAS staff helped to pack a 20-foot moving truck and a fleet of vehicles full of holiday gift donations courtesy of the students, families and staff of St. Andrew’s and St. Anne’s College as part of their annual Holiday Heroes Program. Donations included items such as: laptops, housewares, toiletries, winter coats and boots, pet food, beds and linens, school supplies, and grocery gift cards.

York Region CAS Youth Event Collage

York Region CAS Signs of Safety Goals for 2024

York Region CAS is proud to announce that all the Agency’s staff, supervisors, managers, and leadership team were able to complete Signs of Safety Foundations and Advanced Training at the end of 2023. This is an incredible step through the multi-year process of a full system Signs of Safety implementation plan.

As the Agency shifts focus towards 2024, we are committed to maintaining our efforts on learning and applying Signs of Safety to our work and those who work with us.

Bicycle and Helmet Donation Courtesy of Waste Connections of Canada

On Sunday, December 17th, York Region CAS was honoured to be part of and accept a generous donation of 250 bicycles and helmets that were provided and assembled by the staff and families of Waste Connections of Canada – Toronto Waste Connections.

As recipients of this generous donation, York Region CAS will be distributing the bicycles and helmets to children, youth, and families in need.

Dress Purple Day at York Region CAS

On Friday, October 27, York Region CAS staff recognized Dress Purple Day.

The Dress Purple Day campaign runs every October by Children’s Aid Societies across the province to raise awareness about the important role that individuals and communities play in supporting vulnerable children, youth and families.

This year, York Region CAS staff raised money through the purchase of dress purple day t-shirts. Proceeds from the sales went directly to the York Region Children’s Fund.

We are in need of diverse foster caregivers. Click Here to learn more.

CWICE 101 Training Underway at York Region CAS

Earlier this year, York Region Children’s Aid Society’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team announced that Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence (CWICE) training will be made available for all staff.

Titled, CWICE 101, the course focuses on the intersection of child welfare practice, with immigration, settlement, integration, and border-related issues.

The training is scheduled to be complete in February and has been designed for YRCAS staff to increase awareness, and knowledge on the various equity issues, and intersections with the immigration system that impact children, youth, families, and communities we serve.  

Community Closets - Now Accepting Donations

This winter season, York Region CAS is working with our community partners, the York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities and ANCHOR Canada as they develop community closets for those in need, particularly newcomer families.



They are currently accepting donations for gently used or new clothing, non-perishable food items, and other miscellaneous items at the following locations:

Milliken Church in Markham (3 Clayton Drive)

Miracle Arena Canada (10800 Weston Road)

Take Your Child to Work Day at York Region CAS

On Wednesday, November 1st, 2023, York Region CAS’s Department of People and Culture hosted its first annual “Take Your Child to Work Day” for high school students with family members employed with the agency.

A total of six students attended and had the opportunity to learn aspects of working in child welfare from various departments through interactive presentations and engaging activities.

York Region CAS First Annual Take Your Child to Work Day!

York Region CAS Youth Events Throughout December

December has been a busy month for York Region CAS youth and staff who had the opportunity to participate in exciting activities.

Click the button below to learn more about everything that youth and staff have participated in throughout December!

#EndHateYR Campaign

Hate has no home in York Region. No one should feel unsafe simply because of who they are.

We all have a role to play to make sure York Region is a welcoming, inclusive and safe place for everyone. By standing up against hate, we are showing our commitment to creating communities where diversity is celebrated. As a member organization of the Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG), and an endorsee of the Inclusion Charter for York Region, we are proud launch an #EndHateYR education and awareness campaign.

Foster Family Appreciation Week

October 16-20, 2023 was recognized as National Foster Family Appreciation Week and during this time, Ontario’s child welfare sector recognized the invaluable contributions of foster caregivers across the province.

While our agency is focused on keeping children and youth with their own families wherever possible, foster families are a vital part of the continuum of services provided by our agency.

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If you have any suggestions on how we can work better with you, our community partners, please email:

communications@yorkcas.org