Brighter Horizons

Why?

The children we serve at the Community Social Pediatrics Clinic often have high Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) scores. These scores reflect exposure to poverty, neglect, violence, parental substance use, or family instability. Without intervention, these early traumas can lead to lifelong challenges in mental, physical, and emotional health. The children served through Brighter Horizons program are underserved and systematically excluded from the kinds of resources, relationships, and opportunities that foster healthy development. PCEs give access to essential developmental, social, and emotional opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach, and are proven to buffer the effects of ACEs,. 

What?

We work to ensure that children excluded due to economic hardship have equitable opportunities for growth, inclusion, and success. Brighter Horizons removes financial and systemic barriers. It ensures that every child referred to the program has a chance to experience joy, belonging, and meaningful connection- protective factors that can significantly change a young person’s life trajectory. These positive Childhood Experiences include 

​

-Counselling therapy for children and youth with traumatic histories

-Summer Camp

-Occupational therapy (often due to past neglect and trauma)

How?

Brighter Horizons funds are allocated based on individual needs identified by our clinical team. Once a need is recognized through trusted physician referrals, strong family engagement, and a holistic understanding of each child’s needs, an internal application is submitted to a review committee made up of staff from both our clinical and charitable teams. This ensures each request is thoughtful, appropriate, and directly aligned with improving the child’s well-being. If approved, funds are distributed as quickly as possible