To donate online, go to www.canadahelps.org; or to inquire about ways you can help, contact us at donations@crystalkids.org.
Crystal Kids was founded in 1992 with an original mandate for sports opportunities for disadvantaged youth. 
There is ample evidence that sports programs produce healthy outcomes for some inner-city youth. But the fact is that Sports alone just doesn’t get the job done. Hungry kids can’t play sports. Broken families struggle to or simply can't support their children at school or provide proper supervision and positive modeling. Today our core programs of Sports, Nutrition, Creative Arts and Literacy try to fill the gap. We hope the introduction of our newest program “Heroes” will help when the need is intense. Crystal Kids’ staff are positive role models, whom facilitate good social learning and healthy life choices.
A study showed that in Ontario the number of abused or neglected children doubled between 1993 and 1998 and doubled again between 1998 and 2003. Our experience at Crystal Kids and information shared with staff by Children’s Services, is that these same figures are reflected in inner-city Edmonton.
In Alberta, Children’s Services and Education are under great economic pressure. Increased case loads and larger class sizes mean more kids are falling through bigger gaps.
All of our kids exhibit one or more of the five risk factors for criminal behavior and disassociation from society. These factors are:
- troubled home life
- poor attainment at school, truancy and school exclusion
- drug or alcohol misuse and mental illness
- deprivation such as poor housing or homelessness
- peer group pressure
- access to material resources;
- access to supportive relationships;
- development of a desirable personal identity;
- experiences of power and control;
- adherence to cultural traditions;
- experiences of social justice; and
- experiences of a sense of cohesion with others.
It is really hard for some of us to understand just how broken some of our kids’ families are. Parent’s or guardian’s inability to cope with employment, relationship, financial, and addictions challenges leaves them unable to parent their children consistently in a manner that you and I would consider acceptable. If not for Crystal Kids many of these children would be without food, supervision, and encouragement.The Miracle is that our kids respond and endeavor to better their situation. We are a safe haven for kids from the street, nobody’s hungry at Crystal Kids…nobody’s doing drugs at Crystal Kids…nobody’s engaged in criminal activity at Crystal Kids. Life’s just a little less chaotic, and non-threatening, where friendship and encouragement abounds. The other miracle here is that our youth are resilient despite the challenges their families face because of our interventions and our commitment to supporting them in any way we can. We are providing them with the seven mental health enhancing experiences listed above.
Significant Financial Needs
To meet the needs of the inner city youth, families and seniors that we serve, Crystal Kids requires an annual operating budget of $450,000. We receive no core funding from Alberta Children and Youth Services, nor any other provincial or federal government departments or agencies.
Each year, we are able to bring in about $80,000 from our annual fundraiser; however, that leaves nearly $375,000 in the hands, and hearts, of our generous sponsors and donors.
Crystal Kids maintains a strong focus on fiscal responsibility. We have recently made significant cuts to our administrative costs by bringing a number of outsourced tasks in-house. All funds go directly to supporting in-centre priorities, including food, program supplies, utilities, sports/gym equipment, building upkeep, and staffing. Every sponsor and donor recognizes that their dollars are directly making a positive impact in the lives of hundreds of at-risk youth.
Donations Can Do So Much
You can feed a hungry little boy a hot meal.
You can take a teen aged girl off the streets and into a safe environment.
You can help an immigrant child learn to read English.
You can make a real difference in the lives of Edmonton's disadvantaged youth and their families.
You can - with your donation to Crystal Kids!
We accept one-time, monthly and annual donations of any size and issue charitable tax receipts. Consider a legacy gift from your estate through planned giving.
Donations can be made either in person or by mail at 8718 - 118 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5B OT1.
Donations may be made by cash, Visa, MasterCard, or cheque. Please make cheques payable to Crystal Kids.
Sponsorship Can Do So Much !
You can feed a hungry little boy a hot meal.
You can take a teen aged girl off the streets and into a safe environment.
You can help an immigrant child learn to read English.
You can make a real difference in the lives of Edmonton's disadvantaged youth and their families.
You can - with your sponsorship of Crystal Kids.
Corporate sponsors may make a one-time donation to our organization or commit to a long-term sponsorship agreement that will help ensure a sustained future for our organization and the hundreds of inner city Edmontonians that rely on us.
Long-term sponsorship opportunities include:
- Food sponsor: $20,000 annual donation
- Recreation sponsor: $10,000 annual donation
- Technology sponsor: $10,000 annual donation
- Resources sponsor: $50,000 - $200,000 annual donation
- Utilities sponsor: $30,000 annual donation
