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February • 2024
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From Darkness to Light: A Mother Brings Hope to Families Nationwide After immigrating to Canada in 2001, Dianna Jiang faced her darkest hour when her daughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with severe autism and global development delay at the tender age of three. Little did she know that this adversity would propel her
on a remarkable journey to not only transform her own life but also illuminate the paths of over a thousand families facing similar challenges. As a new immigrant, Jiang grappled with the cultural differences surrounding her
DIANNA AND SOPHIA JIANG © COURTESY OF GIFTED PEOPLE SERVICES
daughter's diagnosis, leading to depression and attempts at suicide. Faced with domestic violence and shattered dreams, Jiang found the strength to persevere for the sake of her daughter and her own mother. A GUIDING LIGHT FOR FAMILIES In 2012, Jiang turned her pain into purpose by establishing Canada's first Mandarin-based non-profit organization, Gifted People Services (GPS). Initially conceived to share her experiences and support families with developmental disabilities, GPS has grown into a multicultural haven, employing staff from 13 countries who speak 16 different languages. Jiang envisioned GPS as a guiding force, a GPS for families navigating the challenges of special needs. Her unwavering belief that every child is unique and possesses untapped potential is the driving force behind GPS's success. Drawing from her own experiences with Sophia, who faced delayed milestones, Jiang has developed potential development
programs aimed at uncovering each child's gifts. Many children and youth have flourished under these programs, defying expectations and celebrating their individuality. Understanding the hardships that families with special needs face, Jiang goes beyond traditional support. GPS hosts family support groups and stress-management workshops and even organizes trips to provide much-needed breaks for parents. Her holistic approach extends to supporting not only the children with special needs but also their siblings and family members. A LEGACY OF COMPASSION Jiang’s inspiring journey has garnered recognition on numerous fronts. Invited to share her story at a Citizenship Ceremony hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, she was shortlisted for the RBC Top 25 Immigrants awards. Jiang has been the recipient of multiple accolades, including the Catharine Parr Traill, Mandarin Profile, TCMA
2014, and Ontario 10-year Volunteer awards. In 2022, she was honoured with the Platinum Jubilee Pin, and in 2023, she received the prestigious Grand Impact Award. Jiang’s story shows how much of an impact one person can have on countless lives. For families grappling with special needs, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder, GPS is an invaluable resource, empowering every individual to realize their unique potential. In the face of adversity, Jiang not only found the strength to overcome her personal challenges but also created a lifeline for countless others. Her story proves that even in the darkest times, a single individual can make a profound difference, lighting up the lives of families and leaving an enduring legacy of compassion and resilience. Jiang’s work is still ongoing. If you or someone you know can benefit from the support of GPS, learn more and get connected by visiting giftedpeopleser.org
Education Cannot Wait Interviews Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio Ville Tavio is Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development and a Member of the Finnish Parliament. Having graduated with a Master of Laws degree, Tavio established a law firm specializing in litigation. In this regard, he followed in his family’s footsteps, being a third-generation lawyer. Tavio has VILLE TAVIO over 10 years experience in municipal politics. Tavio first entered Parliament in 2015 where he has chaired the Finns Party Parliamentary Group and served as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Grand Committee and the Legal Affairs Committee. ECW: At this year’s UN General Assembly, Finland announced a generous new €8 million ($11 million CAD) contribution to Education Cannot Wait, bringing total commitments to €16 million ($23 million CAD). Why is investing in education for children and youth living on the frontlines of the world’s toughest contexts a continued priority for the Finnish Government? Tavio: The rights of children and youth are not suspended during an emergency. This includes the right to education. Education in emergencies—providing quality learning opportunities in crisis
situations—often depends on international assistance since the national duty-bearers are incapable of fulfilling their obligations due to conflicts and violence, public health emergencies or disasters. Even if enrollment in primary and secondary education has increased considerably, the global out-of-school population of primary and secondary school age was still at 244 million in 2021, only nine million less than in 2015 (Data: the UIS and GEM Report). Almost an equal amount, 224 million conflict-affected children are currently in need of education support. Over the same period, between 2015 and 2021, the
number of out-of-school children in sub-Saharan Africa grew by 12 million. The discrepancies within countries and between countries are considerable. Learning achievements are often poor, amounting to a global learning crisis. Education Cannot Wait—as the name says—implies recognition of this emergency. The potential beneficiaries—224 million crisis-affected children in need of education support—are in need of help. Education Cannot Wait is well-placed not only to support individual learners amidst emergencies, but also to support the resilience of education systems and safeguard the continuity of the teaching and learning process in crisis situations. ECW: Finland is a global leader in education and has one of the world’s best education systems. How can Finland’s leadership and experience help to further leverage donor support for education in emergencies, especially by unlocking investments from the
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private sector to deliver on ECW’s goal of mobilizing US$1.5 billion ($2 billion CAD) by 2026? Tavio: Education is one of the top development policy priorities for the Finnish Government. Presently, there is no shortage of global challenges and crises demanding attention, and both humanitarian and development funding. Immediate responses to food security crises and conflicts are necessary. At the same time, we are concerned of the possibility of education being
crowded out or deprioritized on the global development agenda. This further calls for effective mobilization of various potential financial resources, including private sector investments. Finland commits to an active role in advancing the right to inclusive, equitable and quality education. Gender equality and the right to education for those in the most vulnerable positions, especially persons with disabilities, will be at the core of all our efforts... CONT. NEXT PAGE
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The Lighthouse Program is a Guiding Light Through Grief Grief is a natural response to loss. When a parent or sibling dies, it shakes the very foundation of a family, leaving behind a trail of emotional upheaval. The Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children knows this well. For 25 years, Lighthouse has provided essential peer support for grieving children, youth, and their families in Halton, Peel, and beyond, offering open-ended, ongoing grief support groups, and allowing © IMAGES COURTESY OF LIGHTHOUSE FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES families to navigate their grief and stage of development at differ- BEYOND BEREAVEMENT journey at their own pace. ent milestones and significant life Grief requires time, support, and events. Lighthouse helps them to space to heal. Run by staff and THE LIGHTHOUSE understand their grief, acknowl- trained volunteers, the Lighthouse DIFFERENCE edges their pain, and allows for Program not only aids in the proThe program offers a centre-based the expression of their feelings and cess of grief but also acts as a premodel of peer support, the only one exploration of their experiences. ventative measure against potential of its kind in the Greater Toronto complications, such as depression, Area. Unlike other bereavement “I would tell other kids who had eating disorders, substance abuse, programs that typically offer short- someone important die about and emotional withdrawal. term support, Lighthouse recog- the Lighthouse.” At Lighthouse, bereaved chilnizes that grieving is a process that —92 per cent of children dren and teens meet others like takes time. between the ages of six to 12 them. No longer feeling different, When a child or youth expe- agree or strongly agree they can ask questions, find reriences the death of a parent or sources in themselves and through sibling, it changes their life and Families are welcome to attend new friendships, and live life posttheir worldview. Grief, for them, their groups for as long as they need, death to their full potential. is not an event; it is a lifelong averaging around 14 months, ensur“Grief is hard work—exhausting, process. Children and youth will ing they have the necessary support isolating, disorientating and overgrieve and re-grieve with each age for the entirety of their grief journey. whelming,” said Jo Fallon, founder
of Lighthouse. “It is a healthy reaction to loss. But in order to reinvest back into one’s life, one has to process what has happened, how it happened and what it means moving forward. The more that children and youth can process at the relevant time, the greater their resilience and sense of self as they go into adulthood.” Research suggests that teens facing loss are at higher risk for a range of mental health challenges. The Lighthouse Program provides a safe space for them to express their feelings, explore their experiences, and find support and acceptance, ensuring no child has to grieve alone. “To be in a non-judgmental,
loving and accepting environment is crucial,” Fallon continued. “It is the foundation of how they will live their lives with strength, passion and vigour. Simply put, lives are lived better when we do not come from a place of constriction and fear. Life is about living—we all deserve the right to live our lives to the very fullest. Lighthouse facilitates that.” The Lighthouse Program provides invaluable support to children and families in Halton/Peel Regions and beyond at no cost. However, the organization relies heavily on community support to continue its vital work. Only four per cent of the operating costs are covered by the United Way of Halton and Hamilton—the rest comes from fundraising events, service clubs, community foundations, and generous donors like you. Lives are lived better when we support one another through grief. Your donation has a tangible impact in the lives of children, youth, and families in your community and beyond. Learn more and donate at lighthousegriefsupport.org
Help fund free grief support groups to support hope for a brighter future. lighthousegriefsupport.org
