About
HCCF is an independent charitable organization, registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. Since 2012 we have partnered with the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) to support their students and families in need. Schools identify the student or family in need, and apply to HCCF for assistance. Funding is used to purchase the need on behalf of the student or family (i.e. basic necessities or access to school activities with a fee). We do not receive any direct funding from HCDSB.
Our mission: To help HCDSB students succeed at school by providing financial support to families in need.
Our vision: All HCDSB students have equitable opportunities at school, regardless of financial barriers.
Our Impact
Poverty remains a powerful factor in student success in school. Low-income students in Halton face financial barriers to learning. Due to this, opportunities for many of our youth are not equal. Education directly influences students’ life chances – and outcomes. Every child deserves the opportunity to be successful, to be included and to build their confidence in a nurturing school community.
As a Catholic Community, we need to show that we care. 10.5% of children in Halton live in low-income households – an estimated 3,800 HCDSB students. Our 3 Year Strategic Plan outlines our goal to double the amount of students being helped annually, that being over 600 students by 2024. This past year we helped 399 students in need. There is a significant gap in the number of students being helped and the potential number of students that could be helped.
HCCF’s 3 Year Strategic Plan: https://www.hccf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/HCCF-Strategic-Plan-2021-2024.pdf
Our Student Guardian Program helps low-income students overcome challenges in the following areas:
- ACHIEVEMENT GAP – An achievement gap can form between low-income students and their peers due to financial barriers to learning.
- MENTAL HEALTH – Mental health struggles for low-income students can include social exclusion, shame, stigma, low self-esteem, low confidence and loss of hope.
