Building a Better Future for Niagara Children’s Centre

On Thursday, April 27, the St. Catharines-based Niagara Children’s Centre launched its Help Kids Shine campaign, one of the organization’s largest annual fundraising initiatives to support new programs and equipment and to make improvements to the facility. The campaign runs throughout the entire month of May and involves various fundraising initiatives.

Niagara HBA CEO Chuck McShane serves as Chair of the 2023 Help Kids Shine Committee, with Executive Officer Alicia Dimitrov-Lawrence serving her second year on the cabinet.

“The NHBA is proud to support such an impactful organization within our community,” says NHBA President Richard Lawrence. “Children and their families rely on these services and therapy programs, and we are honoured to lend our support in order for this life-changing work to continue throughout our region.”

Through the generosity of NHBA members, as of the end of April, over $35,000 had been raised for the Niagara Children’s Centre Help Kids Shine campaign.

Niagara HBA CEO Chuck McShane with HKS ambassador Lucy during the 2022 Help Kids Shine launch.

The COVID pandemic financially impacted many notfor-profits across the region. In 2021, the Niagara Home Builders’ Association and its members partnered with the Niagara Children’s Centre in order to assist them in reaching their Help Kids Shine campaign goals.

Niagara HBA Past President David Samis, President Richard Lawrence, CEO Chuck McShane and Executive Officer Alicia Dimitrov Lawrence present member donations in support of 2021 campaign.

The Niagara Children’s Centre is recognized throughout the Niagara Region as the provider of rehabilitation and support services to children and youth with physical, developmental and communicative delays and disabilities. Core services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, augmentative and alternative communication, family services and therapeutic recreation. The family-centred programs aim to help each child achieve his or her own unique potential so that they can participate in all activities at home, school and in the community. The centre provides therapy and supports to over 6,000 children and their families every year, and in 2023 officially launched two satellite centres in Welland and Grimsby in partnership with the local YMCA.

Anyone who may be interested in donating to the Niagara Children’s Centre or would like additional information can reach out to info@nhba.ca or Marla.Smith@niagarachildrenscentre.com .