100 People Who Care PEC present pot of gold to Reaching for Rainbows

Reaching for Rainbows after-school program participants Myla, Kaesha, Kat and Madelyn hold $11,600 received Wednesday from the 100 People Who Care PEC group. At the presentation were program director Jessika Daley-Leavitt, PEC People Who Care representatives Richard Byers and Mark Davis, and Rev. Lynne Donovan.

The pot of gold was at Reaching for Rainbows Wednesday afternoon as the 100 People Who Care PEC handed over $11,600 to the Picton organization.

Reaching for Rainbows was designed eight years ago to help vulnerable young County girls between the ages of six and nine to reach their potential in a strong, independent future.

“We are truly thankful,” said Rev. Lynne Donovan, visionary for the project eight years ago. “Often people like to buy things. Things don’t save little girls. People – loving, patient and caring, gracious people are what help them. This program is changing the narratives for these girls.”

Reaching for Rainbows can be a silver lining for 37 per cent of children in the County who have been assessed as being vulnerable in at least one of five critical developments. The County also has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in all of Ontario, and sits in the number two position in the province for having the greatest number of people who are struggling to put food on the table. Of 70 school districts in the province, the County is sixth from the bottom in terms of the number of students graduating from high school.

Donovan noted the organization thus far has operated on a shoestring budget with about 20 volunteers – including one who put in up to 40 hours a week doing administrative duties. The funding, she said, will help pay staff members a fair wage.

Licenced by the Ministry of Education, and focused in the basement of St. Andrew’s Church, the program includes up to 30 girls each year.

“When it comes to dealing with vulnerable populations, the challenges show up every year,” said Donovan. “We are truly thankful for the support from the community.”

The 100 People Who Care group is based on the simple concept of bringing together members who commit to contribute $100 at each of four meetings annually, to make an enormous impact on a local charity – in about one hour.

Sophiasburgh councillor Bill Roberts championed Reaching for Rainbows at the 100 People Who Care PEC quarterly meeting earlier this month at The Waring House.

Past recipients include the Prince Edward Learning Centre, the Picton United Church Food Bank, Alternatives for Women and Glenwood Cemetery.pp