Community News
Shania Kids Can; Providing support to our vulnerable communities
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
It was a terrible shock for Brampton; that Saturday night in June 2014, a two-alarm fire broke out at 59 Ardglen Drive destroying 18 units, leaving 80 to 100 residents homeless. The worst part of that day was the discovery of Nicolas Gabriel’s body, a 10-year-old that was found in a second-floor bedroom of one of the units. It was this news that truly devastated this small community, and this loss sent shockwaves throughout the city of Brampton.
It was moving to see how the community banded together to help the families that had been displaced, and some very popular Canadians stepped up to help the Gabriel’s; notably Canadian comedy giant Russell Peters donated money towards Nicolas Gabriel’s funeral expenses, and it just so happened that in September of 2014, the ever beautiful, Canadian sweetheart Shania Twain, launched Shania Kids Can (SKC) in conjunction with the Dilawri Foundation at Sir Winston Churchill Public School, which happens to be located at 89 Ardglen Drive, just moments away from where a community had experienced such a great loss.
Founded in 2010, Shania Kids Can has been working with public schools throughout North America providing all-inclusive support and stability for vulnerable children. Sir Winston Churchill happened to be one of seven elementary schools in North America at that time that began receiving support from the singer’s non-profit charity. Shania has openly spoken about some of the struggles she endured as a child, and this is why one of the main goals of the charity is to relieve the economic, social and personal suffering of children by funding schools to help pay for: food, clothing and resources for underprivileged and disadvantaged children.
Shania Kids Can works with the school board, the principal and the school to identify 20–25 students for the program annually; these children receive one-on-one consultations, academic support, group activities, as well as nutritious snacks and meal programs when needed. Coined, “Shania Kids Can Clubhouse,” students are nurtured in a safe, confidence-building environment, where they are given an opportunity to learn how to function at an optimal level while they are at school.
I had an opportunity to speak with Dahlia Jacquiline Battick, the Principal at Sir Winston Churchill Public School, and she provided me with a little insight on how the program has been serving some of her students. “I inherited the Project,” Principal Battick told me, “It was actually coordinated by the schools former principal; it was launched right after the fire on Ardglen Rd, and with the displacement of families, and the tragic death, the timing was impeccable.”
“What were some of the needs that you saw Principal Battick?”
“I saw the willingness of students, but I also saw that they needed support. Shania Twain urged that we support these promising students and provide what was necessary for them to be positive members of the society. I have personally seen how the support has helped. There was one young lady who I watched blossom in the program. Not only did she grow a better sense of service, she also began to develop her musical talents. One of her shining moments was when she had an opportunity to sing with Shania Twain on stage. We are all very proud of what this young lady has achieved.”
“What are some of the challenges that you face,” I inquired?
“Well, the program has become very popular, so of course a lot of the students want to be part of it. Unfortunately we can only accommodate 20 -25 student, and we have to redirect students into other programs.”
This fall Shania Kids Can announced the launch of an exciting fundraising initiative that will see a grand prize-winner drive away with a motorcycle donated by Shania Twain, and a chance to meet the music icon. A tractor-trailer, creatively featuring Ms. Twain, stopped by the Brampton SKC Clubhouse on route to Las Vegas. All of the proceeds raised will provide support to SKC Clubhouses in: Brampton, Las Vegas, and other locations across North America.
The sweepstakes which can be found on IfOnly.com/Shania, will run from October 15th – November 21st, 2019, and in addition to winning a motorcycle, the grand prize also includes: round-trip airfare for two to Las Vegas; hotel accommodations at Planet Hollywood; tickets to the opening night of Shania Twain’s ‘Let’s Go!’ show, plus a meet and greet with Shania. The winner will also visit Shania at one of her ‘Let’s Go!” Las Vegas rehearsals and be treated to a private tour of Count’s Kustoms motorcycle shop and museum.
The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper would like to thank Shania Twain and her team for stepping in to help when it was most needed; your leadership will motivate and inspire others to take action!