School is the centre of the universe for many children. It’s where they learn, play, eat, make friends, discover role models, develop life-long social skills, and find help if a crisis arises.
The KidSafe Project Society was launched by inner-city school principals, concerned citizens and The Vancouver Sun newspaper in 1993 in response to a brutal tragedy that left an 8 year old child brutally beaten, then abandoned in a vacant east side apartment.
The community was outraged by the tragedy, then galvanized into action: They were united in their vision to provide vulnerable children with a safe place to go when school is out.
KidSafe began by keeping two schools open, in Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhoods, for at-risk children during winter break.
Today, KidSafe supports over 400 referred, at-risk children annually, and provides services to six Vancouver elementary schools:
We welcome children from the ages of 5 to 13 for the two months of summer vacation, for spring break, winter break, and for some after school programs as well.
The KidSafe Project Society is a registered charity (no. 89026 6349 RR00001) run by dedicated staff and a community-based board of directors.
KidSafe runs free of charge to families and continues to operate on community support and the generous contributions of individuals, corporations, government, foundations, and in-kind donors.
KidSafe offers a familiar place of safety, nutritious meals, emotional support, and positive activity alternatives aimed at helping children build confidence and self-esteem, while providing them with opportunities for social development.
A one-to-ten ratio of trained staff and child support workers are provided to help these children cope with their exposure to a wide range of hurtful influences, including substance abuse, neglect, hunger, the enticement and dangers of street life, domestic violence, or family instability.
KidSafe offers core outreach programming in the areas of Leadership, Arts and Culture, Literacy, Physical Health and Wellbeing, and Science and Nature. These programs are enhanced through out-trips providing children access to activities they would not be able to participate in otherwise.
