Because of You

This year at Starling Child and Family Foundation, we witnessed moments that simply would not exist without our donors. Because of you, families found guidance and understanding, and young people discovered that someone truly believes in them. 

Thank you for standing with them, for championing brighter futures, and for making it possible for children to receive the mental health support they deserve.

Today, Jasmine’s life is full: a happy marriage, an 11-year-old daughter she adores, and a successful career as a licensed paralegal in a personal injury firm. But at 13, her future looked very different. 

Difficult circumstances at home led Jasmine to Safe Haven Youth Shelter in downtown Kitchener. She still remembers pausing at the doors, scared and uncertain of what she would find inside or who she could trust.

Trust didn’t come easily. But when she began to open up, she was met with genuine care and compassion. “For the first time in my life, they showed me that things could be different,” she reflects. “They helped me see there was a better future out there for me.”

That experience stayed with her. Today, she gives back to the youth who now walk through those same doors. Every Christmas Day, Jasmine, her husband, and their daughter deliver a full holiday meal along with a parcel of chocolate, cookies, and other treats. It’s a tradition they’ve carried on since her daughter was born.

“Our annual Christmas donation to Safe Haven is one of the most meaningful parts of our holiday season,” she says. “It’s more than a donation, it’s a way to share kindness, support youth, and honour a place that once gave me hope. I want my daughter to grow up understanding how even small acts can make a big difference.”

One year, after dropping off their meal, a youth asked, “Did you actually buy all of this?” When they said yes, the youth paused and simply asked, “Why?” Jasmine understands that question. She remembers what it feels like to believe the world can be cold and lonely.

“Youth too often fall through the cracks, and that matters, because they are our future,” she said. “I want them to know they’re not forgotten; people believe in them and want them to succeed. That there is still joy, kindness, and hope in the world.”

Each year, her family looks forward to this tradition. For Jasmine, it’s proof that small acts, a meal, a treat, a moment of care, can create a sense of belonging. And sometimes, that hope can change a life forever.

For more than forty years, Murray Haase has been a steadfast champion of children’s mental wellness. A former board member and long‑time donor, Murray has never wavered in his belief in the children we serve. 

Today, Murray remains one of our strongest and most dedicated supporters, consistently ranking among the top fundraisers at Steps for Kids. Well known for his generosity, Murray has volunteered his time and leadership across countless initiatives, helping to shape programs and opportunities that continue to change lives for the better.