12th Annual Reach for Success Youth Recognition
Awards Honour Achievements of Close to 100
Deserving Young People
“Today I'm gonna try and change the world
Gonna take it one day at a time
I've made my resolution
I've opened up my eyes
Today I'm gonna try and change the world”
“Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World” lyrics as sung by Johnny Reid
This excerpt from the song “Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World” was a fitting
theme for the 12th Annual Reach for Success Youth Recognition Awards hosted by the
Quinte Children’s Foundation in partnership with Highland Shores Children’s Aid,
Mohawk Family Services and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. The event, which
took place on May 22nd at the Empire Theatre, honoured the achievements of close to 100 young people.
The evening was a celebration that featured music and dance, as well as traditional
Mohawk performances. Sixty youth from Highland Shores Children’s Aid and the
Mohawk Territory, received $50 Youth Recognition Awards in categories such as
Academic Achievement, Sports and Recreation, the Arts, Volunteerism, Personal Best
and Culture & Heritage. A further thirty youth, who plan to attend College or University
in the coming year, were awarded over $50,000 in Reach for Success Bursaries in
order to assist them with their post secondary education.
"On this night, we celebrate the achievements of children and youth from our community
whose lives have not been an easy journey. One of the programs Quinte Children's
Foundation supports is ‘Reach for Success’. This program encourages these young
people to continue their education. On behalf of Quinte Children's Foundation Board of
Directors, staff and our community partners, we are proud and honoured to help
celebrate their achievements by giving these amazing individuals Youth Awards and
Bursaries," said Connie Reid, Executive Director of Quinte Children’s Foundation.
Nicole Broderick, Children’s Services Supervisor for Highland Shores Children’s Aid and
Chair of the event commented that, “The evening is a chance to celebrate the success of
our children and youth and show them how proud we are of their accomplishments. We
want these young people to continue to pursue their dreams and we hope that this night
might be the beginning of that journey.”
The Society’s focus on continuing education for young people has paid off. The support
and tools offered to youth have helped many of them succeed with their studies and go
on to post secondary education.
Brandi Hildebrand, the Program Manager of Mohawk Family Services on the
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, indicated that “The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and
Mohawk Family Services are very proud to support this event. Our youth work very hard
and the demands that we often place on them are put in place to help them be
successful in life, including academically. However, it is very important that we also
recognize that each youth’s potential and contributions are different. Recognition that the
contributions that they make can change the world, is a very special opportunity.”
Thanks to the vision and hard work of Mohawk Family Services, the contributions of the
Quinte Children’s Foundation and the staff at Highland Shores Children’s Aid, the
awards are a highlight of the year and are eagerly anticipated. Nicole Broderick added,
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Quinte Children’s Foundation and their caring
donors who have made this event possible for the past 12 years. They continue to make
a very positive impact on the lives of many young people in our community.”