On October 1, 2010, the Canadian Unity Council officially ended its tenure of strengthening Canada by disbursing a portion of its funds to The Encounters with Canada Support Foundation.  The Foundation's mission is to financially support The Encounters with Canada Program and its participants. The legacy of the Canadian Unity Council will live on through The Encounters with Canada Support Foundation.  Pictured above, accepting a cheque from the Canadian Unity Council for $214,000, from left to right, are Duane Daly (Foundation Secretary-Treasurer), Michel Desjardins (President of the Canadian Unity Council), Gary Bennett (Foundation President and Past CUC Director and Governor.), Linda Brunet (Director General of the Encounters With Canada Program), and Bruce Kippen (Foundation Vice-President and Past Founder and Honorary Governor of the CUC).

THE CANADIAN UNITY COUNCIL LIVES ON

The Encounters With Canada Program was initiated by the CUC in 1982 and became Canada's largest and most successful youth forum. The CUC was forced to sell the program in 1982 and today it is the only CUC program to survive.  The EWC program exposes all students attending to the wonderful geographical, historical, cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity of Canada while studying the common theme of the program for that week.  The whole experience leads all of the students to realize that in spite of the diversity of Canada, they have much more in common than just their theme of study.  By the end of the week, they all have a strong and positive appreciation of this country.  It has been and will continue to be a truly inspirational program for every student that attends.  To learn more about the program, please go to the Foundation website.  Please click on:

 www.ewcfrdc.ca.

In addition, you will see a historical tribute to The Canadian Unity Council on the Foundation website.  Please click on:

http://www.ewcfrdc.ca/history-of-the-canadian-unity-council.html. 

The Canadian Unity Council Permanent Endowment Fund has been established within the EWCS Foundation to allow these CUC donated funds to grow and produce a sustainable revenue to support the registration fees of future young Canadians attending the Encounters With Canada Program.  

A SUPPORTING OPPORTUNITY

As a former CUC Governor and as President of The Encounters With Canada Support Foundation, I am contacting you to request your financial support for the EWC Program through The Encounters With Canada Support Foundation.  Your donations will be used to enhance the Canadian Unity Council Permanent Endowment Fund and to subsidize student registration fees for students attending at the present time.  This will be especially beneficial for lower income families.  Moreover, your donation will allow you to continue your close association with the CUC's most admired youth program.

Why should you  make The Encounters With Canada Support Foundation your 'Charity of Choice'?  There are five main reasons which make The Encounters With Canada Support Foundation a 'standout' amongst other Canadian charitable organizations and worthy of your support.

1. It has a very compelling mission; that is, to financially support EWC, Canada's foremost national youth program. 
2. The Foundation is managed by a competent and caring board of directors. 

3.      Because of the generosity of Corporate Supporters, our volunteer Board of Directors and our extremely efficient business design, we are able to ensure that 100% of individual donations are targeted toward achieving our mission.  Not one penny of individual donations goes toward covering our overhead.  Very few foundations can live up to that claim.

1. We have an admirable operational ethic.  Our board is comprised of volunteers of high integrity.  We value our donors, keep our commitments to them and value their participation.  We want to build long term relationships.
2. Your financial support will be used to enable young Canadians from all 'walks of life' to attend this terrific program.

What are Canadians saying about The Encounters With Canada Support Foundation?

L. Yves Fortier, QC, ; Chairman and Senior Partner of Ogilvy Renault law firm; Officer and Companion of the Order of Canada; formerly Canada's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.  Director of the Historica Dominion Institute, and past CUC Governor.

"The EWCSF Foundation has a very noble mission. I support the Foundation which is in a class by itself in Canada."

Wilf Edmond -  Past Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command President.

"The Royal Canadian Legion values its association with the Encounters With Canada program and in particular its support of the Encounters With Canada Support Foundation.  The establishment of the Foundation is a positive step forward in the development and future sustainment of the program."

Ron Cannan, MP - Kelowna-Lake Country -  

“My daughter Amy had the opportunity of a lifetime when she participated in the Encounters With Canada in Ottawa in 2008.   She was able to meet with a diverse group of Canadian youth from across the country, learn about their cultural similarities and differences and make new friends.  By encouraging this connection, our youth  have a greater understanding of the plurality of our society and we ensure that Canada  remains a strong and united country.   By supporting The Encounters With Canada Support Foundation, we can all ensure that more young Canadians can attend this wonderful program." -

Michele Desjardins - President of the Canadian Unity Council

" Twenty-eight years ago, The Council for Canadian Unity created Encounters with Canada in order to give an opportunity to Canadian Youth from Coast to Coast to Coast to enhance their understanding of our great country in a humane and challenging fashion.  With its relevant and well adapted programs and activities, a dynamic personnel and a pan-Canadian network of volunteers, it continues its superb work respecting the intent of its creator.  That is why the Canadian Unity Council is proud to give the Foundation its financial support through The Encounters with Canada Support Foundation".

HOW CAN YOU DONATE? 

To see how you can support future young Canadians going to this terrific program, please click on:

http://www.ewcfrdc.ca/how-to-donate-now.html

OTHER DONATION OPTIONS:

For other donation options click on:

http://www.ewcfrdc.ca/donation-options.html