Foundation committed to finding permanent homes for the more than 30,000 children waiting in Canada’s foster care system.
Burlington, ON — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada recently welcomed Chris Garrah, a partner at the law firm of McMillan LLP in Toronto, as a member of its board of directors.
“Every child deserves a loving, forever family and the chance for a bright future,” said Chris. “I am honored for the opportunity to serve on the Foundation’s board of directors and help give more of Canada’s most vulnerable youth in foster care the permanent homes they deserve.”
“Chris will be a strong advocate for the Foundation’s mission,” said Paul Hilder, Senior Vice President, Wendy’s Restaurants of Canada and chair of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada’s board of directors. “I look forward to working with him to help grow the Foundation’s impact across Canada on behalf of the more than 30,000 children in foster care who are waiting for a permanent family.”
With nearly 20 years of experience, Chris is an accomplished corporate lawyer with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, joint ventures and private equity. He has represented clients in the insurance and nonprofit sectors, as well as the food, beverage and agribusiness industries.
“As we know the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on youth in foster care will linger for months and years to come, the Foundation’s work is more important than ever,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada. “I am grateful for Chris’ service to the board during this critical time. His experience and thoughtful perspective will be valuable as we work to find safe, permanent homes for youth who have been waiting in foster care the longest.”
Through its signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada provides funding to adoption agencies to support the hiring of recruiters who implement an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model. According to a five-year evaluation in the United States, the model is up to three times more effective at serving children in foster care who are often overlooked, including teenagers, children with special needs and siblings.
To date, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiters in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Ontario have found forever homes for more than 450 children, with another 75 in their pre-adoptive placements.
Chris earned a bachelor of commerce degree from Queen’s University and a bachelor of law degree from the University of Toronto.
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About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada is a nonprofit public charity dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for the more than 30,000 children waiting in Canada’s foster care system. Created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.ca.
