The Darling Home for Kids is celebrating raising $7 million in support of The Embrace Campaign, which will go towards expanding their space.
The local organization raised $3.5 million to date, which was then matched by the Orlando Corporation. The Corporation generously pledged to match each donation received by The Darling Home for Kids.
The team at The Darling Home for Kids is excited for the 10,000-square-foot expansion that will increase their capacity to support medically complex children.
They will be thanking their donors with a celebration at The Darling Home for Kids (5657 15th Side Road, Milton) on Thursday (June 16th) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
“As proud Guardians for more than a decade, I can say that this Home has far exceeded every hope we ever had. We are so grateful to our generous community who have shared in our vision of a world where no child is too complex to receive the love, care, and support they deserve, and to Orlando Corporation for investing in our dream and helping us impact the lives of more children and families,” said Guardians, Michele Darling & Michael Eagen. “Together, we are building more space for the moments that matter, supporting families in crisis, providing compassionate care, offering a safe space, and helping our children to flourish through challenges and triumphs as they play, laugh, and make the most of every day.”
The 10,000 square foot space will include:
- Three new bedrooms and two adjoining bathrooms
- A larger medication room
- Spaces for counselling, meetings with families and care providers, volunteer interviews, religious ceremonies and events
- A larger Snoezelen room, which engages kids’ senses and imaginations through images, lights, textures, sound and colour
- A private kitchen and accommodation for families with a child in end-of-life care
- An area dedicated to staff and volunteers
- A second story for administration, meetings and training
- A driveway extension and larger parking lot
- A garage for our wheelchair van
- A dedicated play room
- A new 3-season space
Every day, The Darling Home for Kids is entrusted to care for the most medically complex children. Their highly specialized Residential, Respite, and Hospice Palliative Care Programs draw children and families from all over the province. More than 16,000 children in Ontario are classified as medically complex, and that number continues to rise, as does the demand for their services.
Over the years the Home has grown to double its capacity and welcome new children and families. In 2007, the Residential Program was launched as their first child moved into the Home.
Donors and sponsors have always played an integral role in the success of The Darling Home for Kids. In a year like no other, the Home relied on its loyal supporters as they saw more than 2,050 donors support The Embrace Campaign.
“It has been an incredible journey, one that could not have been accomplished without the support of our community. Together we can make a significant difference in the lives of the children and families who pass through our doors. Today is the beginning of a brighter future for The Darling Home for Kids.”
