Michelle Smith' Personal Pledge Page

Team Name: Paradise Pool Cougars

Member Name: Michelle Smith

Total Raised: $100.00

Pledge

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Welcome to my fundraising page for the Amazing Race Niagara! On Sunday, September 17, 2017, I will be participating in this event to raise funds for Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara and Niagara Chapter of Native Women Inc. (NCNW). Our agencies have joined together to increase the child abuse prevention, awareness, and response to children, youth, and families in the Niagara region.

Imagine the courage it takes for a child to disclose abuse experiences to adult authorities, when 80% of alleged perpetrators are known by children. Studies found that sexual abusers come from a wide circle of people (not only within the family) but also outside the family, such as friends, neighbours, and peers (Kingsley and Mark 2000; LaPrairie 1995).

The Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre (www.kristenfrenchcacn.org) is a safe place for children & youth to speak about their abuse experience to specially trained teams from Niagara Regional Police Services and Family and Children Services Niagara. Incorporated in 2003 the Centre offers support and referral service for children, youth and their families. Counseling is provided by the Family Counseling Centre Niagara Family.

The Niagara Chapter - Native Women Inc. (www.ncnw.net) is an autonomous local organization of the Ontario Native Women's Association, which is affiliated with the Native Women's Association of Canada. Current local initiatives include a strong interface with local education, justice, health and child welfare issues from infancy to beyond middle age.  Our organization is built on the dedication of our members and volunteers. The chapter receives no core or ongoing funding and as such is a fully registered charity and not for profit that incorporated in 1983.

Did you know that 1 in 4 children will experience sexually based child abuse before the age of 18 and studies show that on average 25% to 50% of Aboriginal women were victims of sexual abuse as children compared to a 20% to 25% average rate within the non-Aboriginal population (Collin-Vézina et al 2009). You can let the children, youth and families impacted by abuse in our region know you care!

Sponsor me in this fun event and support the important work of our organizations at the same time! Thank you in advance for your support.