Malik’s story: Back in school after bullying

Malik* was missing school again and again. His absenteeism reached a point where the school contacted the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS). His teachers were concerned about how his frequent absences were affecting his learning. Plus studies show the long-term impacts of truancy can negatively affect a child’s health and future employment, and boost the risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Comprehensive support for a family at risk

The frontline workers at CCAS, trained in a leading-edge new holistic assessment and service approach called HARP, looked deeper than the immediate issue of absenteeism. They worked with the referring school and the family to gain a thorough understanding of why Malik had stopped his education. The workers discovered that Malik was struggling emotionally as he coped with school bullying while grieving multiple family losses. His mom wanted to help, but didn’t know how to support his academic or mental health needs.

Fast access to culturally affirming care

To help the family find a better way forward, the Society connected them with TAIBU Community Health Centre, a Toronto community organization that supports the health of Black-identifying people in a culturally affirming environment. Because of Foundation funding, Mailk and his mother began immediate individual and family therapy, instead of languishing on a waiting list.

Emergency funding for food and clothing

The comprehensive HARP approach meant that the family also accessed support with financial hardship and food insecurity. The Foundation lent a hand with a $500 emergency grant to purchase basic needs like clothing, gift cards to purchase essentials, and groceries. 

Today, Malik is regularly attending school, building his academic skills and mental health, and his mom is by his side with fresh confidence. This story would have a very different ending without HARP. Thanks to donors, the family received the tools and resources needed to navigate this potential child welfare crisis and come out with renewed resilience and stability. 

HARP makes a difference for loving families facing a child welfare crisis

Sector research shows about 85% of child welfare cases stem not from allegations of harm or neglect: they affect loving families dealing with chronic struggles such as financial instability, mental health issues, and other barriers. HARP, which stands for Holistic Assessment Response Pathways, offers a transformational, compassionate range of responses tailored to a family’s needs. Children do best when their families can provide stability; HARP makes that possible, with your support. 

*Name changed for privacy reasons.