Shevawn’s Story

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“I learned about Start2Finish over a decade ago when I was approached to consider being a member of the board of directors. The organization was still in its maturing phase and wanted to fine-tune areas such as governance, human resources and finance so that it could better position itself to be a recipient of larger, more competitive grant monies in order to reach more kids. I had experience with this type of not-for-profit work but, more importantly, it aligned with my personal goal to elevate and advocate for children who are challenged -- so I said yes and have never looked back.

The organization has consistently achieved and exceeded its goals whether it was in touching more lives of children living in poverty, or expanding far beyond the GTA from Halifax to Vancouver. I have met kids who grew up to become successful adults who, in turn, became contributing members in their own communities. I saw the cycle of success: children coming to S2F at age 7 or 8, then graduating from high school, going on to post-secondary school and then coming back to volunteer with Start2Finish and start the cycle again. When S2F started the Scientific Advisory Group to provide 3rd party analysis and proof that the programs they offer truly DO positively impact Canadian children living in poverty, that only further sealed my conviction that this organization is a powerful social change-maker creating huge impact in communities of complexity.

So, I am in. And, being "in" means supporting the organization with my mental capacity as well as my dollars. My husband and I have been significant donors to Start2Finish since we became entrenched in the beautiful S2F ethos; respecting and honouring children while giving them the tools they need to succeed. There are many worthy charities in the world, but we believe that we need to support and elevate the children in our own backyard; we need to start here at home, eradicating poverty in Canada so that Canadian children can become successful Canadian adults who then go out to the world and advocate for and support children elsewhere.”

~ Shevawn Adams, Past Chair of the Board

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the land on which we work, and which Start2Finish operates, is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples inhabited and cared for this land. In particular, we acknowledge the territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.

We welcome you to acknowledge the land you are on https://www.whose.land/fr/

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