It is fitting that on May 14th we celebrated Children and Youth in Care Day across Ontario.  This coincides with the 14th Annual Reach for Success Awards hosted by the Quinte Children's Foundation in partnership with Highland Shores Children's Aid, Mohawk Family Services, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and Alderville First Nation on Thursday, May 22nd at The Empire Theatre. 

Connie Reid, Executive Director with Quinte Children's Foundation said, "This is an amazing evening where we will give out 69 Youth Awards to students ranging from junior kindergarten to grade 12.  A further 71 youth will receive bursaries to assist them with their post-secondary education.  We thank our many donors and community partners whose generous contributions to the Foundation have made this evening possible." 

"This is a very special night when we come together to congratulate and applaud our children and youth.  Our Youth Awards are given to students in one of the following categories:  Academic Achievement, Sports and Recreation, the Arts, Volunteerism, Personal Best and Culture and Heritage.  Then we will give out bursaries to youth continuing their post-secondary education.  Despite obstacles they may have faced these young people achieved their goals and we are proud of all of them", commented Nicole Broderick, Children's Services Supervisor for Highland Shores Children's Aid.

Angus Francis, Manager of Children's Services at Highland Shores Children's Aid has emceed this event for 10 years.  "To see children who previously received a Youth Award be awarded a bursary is definately a highlight of this event for me", he noted.