SUMMERSIDE
Dave Ellis measures the value of the Esther Finkle Fund for Kids by the smiling faces of the young people it benefits.
Ellis is a youth intervention outreach worker for the Province's Youth Justice Services. He works with Summerside Police Services to identify kids who have brushes with the law and attempts to direct them away from the justice system.
Throughout his six years on the job, Ellis has accessed the Esther Finkle Fund on several occasions to help give local youths a leg up.
"My experience with the fund has been a 100 per cent success. There aren't a lot of hoops to jump through," Ellis said. "We've bought a guitar for a young boy and got another involved in a minor soccer program through purchasing cleats and shin pads. The majority of the clients come from single-parent, low-income families who don't have many resources."
The 10th Esther Finkle Walk for Kids takes place Sunday, Oct. 18 in Miscouche. The four-kilometre walk, run or bike ride helps raise funds to ensure the organization can continue helping programs like Ellis's.
Finkle was a social services worker before she passed away in 1999.
A year after her death, her daughters began the fund in her honour to help continue the work she started.
"She would quietly go about her work and she could instinctively recognize little things that could be done that can make a difference," said Esther's daughter, Lisa. "We focus on making small dreams come true for the kids, whether it's summer camps, buying bikes, prom dresses . . . just the little things that go a long way."
Ellis and some of his clients often raise funds and participate in the walk.
Any time he accesses the fund, Ellis lets his clients know where the money comes from.
"Some of the clients that have accessed money in the past have turned around and became some of the fund's biggest supporters," he said. "It's an extremely valuable program for us, and it's hard to measure how meaningful it is. We've had positive results and you see the huge smile on their faces when you grant a wish. It's very rewarding to see that from the clients."
sbrun@journalpioneer.com
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The 10th Esther Finkle Walk for Kids takes place Sunday, Oct. 18 in Summerside. The four-kilometre walk begins at 2 p.m. at the Miscouche Fire Department with refreshments and entertainment to follow.
-The Esther Finkle Fund for Kids was founded in 2000 by Esther's daughters, shortly after she passed away
-Applicants must be an advocate or service provider
-Child must be under 18 years of age
-Applicants receive a maximum of $150 per child to grant small wishes
-Turnaround time for fund dispersal averages three or four days.
-Requests have included the purchase musical instruments, Confederation Bridge passes, bicycles, pools and summer camp fees for youth in need of assistance
-Applying to the fund is simple - it doesn't require proof of income or identifying information about the child
-The walk raises about $4,000-$5,000, however the fund receives donations throughout the year.
-For more information contact Paula Finkle: pfinkle@gov.pe.ca or call 888-8254
