Our focus on the mental and emotional well-being of children and youth is intended to cover the wide range of mental, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral domains. The Foundation believes that children and youth with good mental health, positive self-esteem and general well-being are more likely to look after their health as adults - adults who will maintain and improve our society.
The Foundation commemorates the work of Dr. Gerald Gordon, Executive Director of the Atlantic Child Guidance Centre for more than 20 years, and the associated Atlantic Child Guidance Centre Foundation. From the late 1940s until integration into the IWK Grace Health Centre in 1995, ACGC and its precursor organizations sought to improve the mental and emotional well-being of the children and youth of Nova Scotia.
The Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth carries on this legacy as a non-profit charitable organization.
The Gordon Foundation is committed to a leadership role in the promotion and advancement of the mental and emotional well-being of children and youth. The Foundation is unique in its role of using awareness and promotion to encourage and cause change that enhances the success and well-being of children and youth.
To improve the mental and emotional well-being of children and youth.
The Gordon Foundation funds initiatives that are committed to improving the mental and emotional health of children and youth in Nova Scotia.
The Foundation commemorates the work of Dr. Gerald Gordon, Executive Director of the Atlantic Child Guidance Centre (ACGC) for more than 20 years, and the associated Atlantic Child Guidance Centre Foundation. From the late 1940s until integration into the IWK Grace Health Centre in 1995, ACGC and its precursor organizations sought to improve the mental and emotional well-being of the children and youth of Nova Scotia. The Gordon Foundation is a registered charity and is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Board members come from a variety of sectors including industry, education, non-profit, arts, and health.
The Gordon Foundation of Nova Scotia's Annual General Meeting is a chance for the past year's recipients to meet and share how the funding they received has impacted our community.
In 1995, the Atlantic Child Guidance Centre Foundation, now the Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth, established an award to honor the memory of Dr Gerald Gordon. Dr Gordon was a psychologist and the Executive Director of the centre for more than 20 years, and a strong advocate for child and adolescent mental health services. He was also keenly interested and active in theater. We continue to honor his memory through this award. The award offers an opportunity to recognize recipients who have demonstrated the wide range of creativity and energy that exists in the community that encourages children, youth and families in the development of their mental and emotional well-being. By giving recognition to these activities, the Foundation supports the creative and dedicated individuals and organizations in communities across Nova Scotia. Traditionally, one recipient is identified each year.
The Award rewards, recognizes or facilitates individuals or groups based in NS who are furthering the objectives of the Foundation by carrying out special projects, programs, educational activities, conferences, classes or seminars on mental health related subjects that have the mental health of children and youth as their goal. Examples may include: recognition for a significant individual contribution or achievement, an artistic or other relevant activity, support for youth training or recreational programming, recognition of leadership in youth work or the arts, and the development of programs for children and youth at risk.
The recipient will receive $ 1,000 and an engraved plaque.
Completed nominations are due January 31st of each year. Nominations must be submitted in an electronic format. For assistance or inquiries contact us at info@gfns.ca. Internal nominations are also possible.
In February, annually, the Foundation will review all nominations and send out written notifications in early March. The Recipient of the Award will be invited to the Foundation's Annual General Meeting for a formal presentation. Presentations may also be arranged at special events organized by the nominating organization.
The Foundation contributes up to $3000 per application to sponsor a limited number of speakers each year for registered charities, non-government, non-profit organizations, conferences, annual meetings, educational institutes and workshops. The following criteria are used by the Board to help in its decisions:
a. The speaker is made available to the print and broadcast media.
b. Efforts will be made to reach as wide an audience as possible, such as local and regional experts, professionals, organizations and their staff, and members of the general public.
Nova Scotia is not directly on the travel routes of major speakers and trainers. The Gordon Foundation’s Speakers Program provides funding to defray some of the cost of bringing new educational information and trainers to the province.
The beneficiaries in this project are:
The funding is available to individuals, schools and organizations working with children and youth.
Grants are to a maximum of $3,000 per application.
Applications must be submitted in an electronic format. For assistance or inquiries contact us at info@gfns.ca.
The Gordon Foundation contributes funds for special projects that reflect and support the mental health and well-being of children and youth.
Examples of successful Special Projects applications include:
The funding is available to individuals, schools and organizations working with children and youth.
The Gordon Foundation contributes up to $3,000 for the Special Projects.
Applications must be submitted in an electronic format. For assistance or inquiries contact us at info@gfns.ca.
The general guidelines for the disbursement of the funds will be that one half will be available in advance of the speaker’s presentation or commencement of the project and the second half after the presentation or conclusion of the project upon receipt of a summary report within 60 days noting:
Applicants are advised that the Board does not meet in June, July or August.
Funding Streams | Intake Dates | Review Dates | Notification |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award | January 31 | February 28 | March 31 |
Speakers Program | March 31 September 30 December 31 |
April 30 October 31 January 31 |
All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision. |
Special Projects | March 31 September 30 December 31 |
April 30 October 31 January 31 | >
All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision. |
The Gordon Foundation funds initiatives that are committed to improving the mental and emotional health of children and youth in Nova Scotia.
The Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth has two project/program funding streams and one award for which nominations are accepted.
The Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award recognize or facilitate individuals or groups who are furthering one of the objectives of the Foundation by carrying out special projects, programs, educational activities, conferences, classes or seminars on mental health related subjects that have the mental health of children and young people their goal.
Individuals or initiatives are nominated for this Award. Nominations are accepted from individuals or organizations. Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond to support mental health initiatives in their community? Nominate them for the Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award.
Maximum contribution - $1,000 per nominee. Download an application HERE.
The Gordon Foundation contributes funds to sponsor a limited number of speakers each year. The following criteria are used by The Gordon Foundation Board to help in its funding decision:
a. The speaker is made available to the print and broadcast media.
b. Efforts will be made to reach as wide an audience as possible, such as local and regional experts, professionals, organizations and their staff, and members of the general public.
Maximum contribution - $3,000 per application. Download an application HERE.
The Gordon Foundation contributes funds for special projects that reflect and support the mental health and well-being of children and youth.
Maximum contribution - $3,000 per application. Download an application HERE.
Funding Streams | Intake Dates | Review Dates | Notification |
---|---|---|---|
Dr. Gerald Gordon Memorial Award | January 31 | February 28 | March 31 |
Speakers Program | March 31 September 30 December 31 |
April 30 October 31 January 31 |
All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision. |
Special Projects | March 31 September 30 December 31 |
April 30 October 31 January 31 | >
All applications will be notified within 10 business days of the Board’s decision. |
Congratulations to the Gordon Foundation’s most recent recipients:
Organization | Project |
---|---|
Hinchinbrook Farm Society | Hinchinbrook Farm Society Volunteer Training and Certification Program |
The Empathy Factory | Accelerating: Empathy 2014 |
Family Service Association of HRM | Dad's Making a Difference |
Homebridge Youth Society | The Expression Program |
Arts Health Antigonish | Thundertales |
Pathways Adventure and Challenge Camping Society (PACCS) | Adventure Camp Challenge |
Caldwell Road Elementary School | Learning with Dignaty: Reading and Writing with Assistive Technology |
About Face | Camp Trailblazers 2014 |
Association of Black Social Workers | This is our Future: Nova Scotian Youth Moving Forward and Implementing Change |
Pathways to Education Canada | Pathways to Education: Spryfield Program |
The Annapolis Valley Chapter of Autism Nova Scotia | Day Camp for Children and Youth with Autism |
Phoenix Youth Programs | Phoenix Community Choir |
HomeBridge Youth Services | Expressions Project |
The Empathy Factory | "Turning Tides" 2012 conference workshops |
Musquodoboit Valley Education Center | School Peace song- CD |
AboutFace Craniofacial Family Society | NS camp for children and youth with facial differences. |
Organization | Project |
---|---|
Autism Nova Scotia | Speaker - Dr. Peter Gerhardt at the Exploring the Spectrum Workshop 2014 |
Bridgeway Academy | Speaker-Sir Ken Robinson and Bill Strickland at the “Turning Tides” 2012 conference |
HeartWood Center for Community Youth Development | Speaker - Hannah Taylor, Lady Bug Foundation at "Do Your Part National Conference on Positive Youth Development" |
Autism Nova Scotia | Speaker - Dr. Hénault - talk on tools to educate youth on the Autism Spectrum Disorder about sexuality |
Organization | Project |
---|---|
Hinchinbrook Society | Patricia McGill - Horseboy Method Therapeutic Riding (Autism Program) |
CMHA Colchester East Hants Branch | "Acting Out" Youth drama club |
Zuppa Circus Theatre | Theatre camps for children and youth |
Camp Triumph | Summer Camp supporting children with chronically ill or disabled family members |
Laing House | Arts infusion projects for youth |
To contact The Gordon Foundation for Children and Youth please use this form:
88 Bayview Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
B3M 1N9
CLICK HERE to see who has recently been funded by the Gordon Foundation.
"The students had such a great experience; beyond words, truly. Being at the WTCC was a first for most of them, hearing Sir Ken Robinson speak was a coup, and being told (and then shown) that they can make a difference and really create positive social change was - I think - a game-changing event for many of those students."
- Blair Ryan, The Empathy Factory and participant at the "Emergent Learning: Turning Tides in 21st Century Education" Conference
"The Gordon Foundation allowed Thundertales to run an eight week session from May-June. This free after-school program served ten children at St Andrew Junior School. These activities were profiled in a documentary concerning art and health in Antigonish, Play to Be Well, showcasing our storytelling with art!"
- Amberlee Boulton, Thundertales Coordinator, Arts Health Antigonish
"The Gordon Foundation honoured the Program Director for Hinchinbrook Farm Society with its 2014 Doctor Gerald Gordon Memorial Award for her work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The funds provided with this award have enabled us to feed one of our three horses for one year. The horses are key to our therapeutic "Horse Boy Method" program for families with autism."
- David Friendly, Hinchinbrook Farm Society
The Gordon Foundation registered charity number is 118796036-RR0001
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