About Us

We are a non-profit and non-governmental organization, dedicated to providing hot, nutritious meals to children.

For over 30 years, The Children’s Breakfast Clubs has provided healthy meals and educational, cultural and recreational activities to children and youth across Southern Ontario, in a respectful and dignified manner. We work with community partners to organize nutritious, balanced and culturally reflective breakfast programs. Currently, we serve over 5,000 meals per week in more than 27 communities across Southern Ontario. The Children’s Breakfast Clubs also provide children with emotional support. Our staff, volunteers and special guests offer a welcoming, engaging and stable environment for our children to thrive in. In addition, we offer a variety of programs and services designed to empower young minds and affect positive change in our communities. Thanks to the generous donations from our partners, sponsors and friends, we are able to successfully run these programs and better serve our children and families.

Our Mission

Mission Statement

To enable each community to provide for school-age children a hot, nutritious, culturally reflective breakfast in a social educational and stimulating environment.

Objectives

-Provide children with nutritious, well balanced and appetizing breakfast meals prepared in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide
-Encourage children to develop healthy nutritional, behavioural and personal hygiene habits
-Provide children with emotional support
-Encourage and develop the skills of staff, volunteers and other community members
-Provide social and intellectual stimulation

Our History

In 1984, after consultation with community residents and the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority, the first Children’s Breakfast Club was opened in the Jane/Falstaff community. It was determined that many community needs and concerns could be addressed with a breakfast program.

Our Impact

We do much more

Often times, hunger is invisible to the untrained eye and children are less likely to disclose this information to adults. Starting the day with a healthy breakfast has a proven track record that leads to improved overall health, decrease in behavioral issues, higher self esteem and confidence levels, as well as better academic performance and extra-curricular participation. Using a holistic approach, we also deliver educational, cultural and recreational programs that help children aged 5 to 18 develop social, physical and cognitive skills.

We believe that if children start each day with a nutritious breakfast, they’ll have a greater ability to learn and grow. But it doesn’t just stop there. The Children’s Breakfast Clubs also engages community and municipal leaders, agencies, schools and corporate donors to deliver an array of activities and programs. Each is rooted in either education, community or health, and help enable children to reach their full potential – take a look below:

  • Healthy Breakfast Program
  • Bike Safety Day
  • Black History Month celebration in Ottawa
  • Sharing & Caring Christmas Gala
  • Charter of Rights and Freedom Photo Competition
  • March Kindness Act
  • Winter Coat Drive
  • After School Literacy Program
  • St. Patrick’s Parade
  • Kiddie Carnival and Carabana

Meet the Team

Head Office Staff:

  • Zubeda Nanji – Executive Director
  • Office Staff:
    • Zara Alibhai – Director of Communications
    • Grace Kwon – Operation Manager
    • Zufri Bella Yani – Operations and Marketing Coordinator

Head Office Volunteers:

  • Cecilie Homer
  • Willie Wong
  • Henry Wong
  • Alexandra Fraser
  • Amy Wong
  • Susan and Howard Bury
  • Claire Agard

Our Board of Directors:

  • Richard Gosling, President
  • Claire Browne, Secretary
  • Bonnie Severin, Treasurer
  • Naomi Titleman, Board Member
  • Michael Paisley, Board Member
  • Frank Lamie, Board Member
  • Lauren Dineen-Duarte, Board Member
  • Annette Kingsley, Board Member
  • Steve Gushie, Board Member
  • Neville Pather, Board Member
  • Patrick Shea, Board Member
  • Asha Castelino, Recording Secretary