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After adopting their children from Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), Jim and Judy Patterson became fervent supporters of children involved in child welfare. Over the span of several decades, they’ve invested their time, financial resources and expertise to help improve the lives of children in care. In 2014, they made the decision to name Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAFC or the Foundation) in their Will, ensuring their support will continue for generations to come.
In your own words, can you please tell us about your history of involvement with the Foundation
Jim: We adopted two children from Children’s Aid Society of Toronto in 1969 and 1972. And we realized “this place is really doing important stuff because look, they gave us a baby!” Almost immediately, I got interested in the work of CAST and got involved on a committee, then their Board, chaired the Board, then did the same with the Foundation (chair in 1997/98).
I worked in advertising agencies and a media organization, and over the years we created the current logo, helped young people find mentors, and coached them for job interviews (including makeup, wardrobe, and how to tie a tie).
Judy: We realized that these kids didn’t have anyone in their corner to support them, like most kids do when they’re 18. We wanted the Foundation to be the kind of place they could turn to for advice and support.
Jim: Our involvement started shallow and became very deep. Somewhere along the line, the Foundation named a scholarship in my name – the James D. Patterson Scholarship. That was a surprise.
What inspired you to become a legacy donor and commit to supporting Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada to improve outcomes for children and youth involved in the child welfare system?
Jim: Judy and I were blessed to have two wonderful daughters, and we knew other adopted kids in our neighbourhood. In fact, the worker who placed our older daughter with us also placed two other kids with our neighbours. We knew that the work was important and that CAST and the Foundation were critical to the lives of so many other kids. Our children were being taken care of. But what about the ones that didn’t get adopted, didn’t get placed, or something went wrong? How can we make sure that they get a life that is worthy of them?
Judy: We started thinking about things in the long term. One of the things that we did with our own kids when they were little was taking them to the Toronto Symphony young people’s Saturday concerts. They loved it. Then Canadian Opera Company rehearsals. And it started there – let’s donate the tickets if we couldn’t use them, there must be a foster child that’s interested in music who would love to go to these concerts. It became a thing – what are some of the extra things that these kids need that they’re not going to get?
Jim: The most important thing that CAST and the Foundation would do is look after the essentials. But what about all the extras that most people wouldn’t even consider extras. Things like going to a baseball game, being introduced to the arts. In 2002 we established the James D. Patterson Arts Fund (administered by CAFC) to provide CAST children with music lessons, tickets, supplies etc. I encouraged business associates to donate to this fund.
Can you share a specific moment or experience that solidified your decision to include our Foundation in your estate plans?
Jim: No, there isn’t just one specific thing. It’s more so the continuous cycle of this journey with our daughters. They are now in their early 50s. So, this has been like their lifetime and watching them grow up and enjoy life and have their own children. We started this and we wanted to do more and here we are, right? I wouldn’t say there’s any one specific thing. It was more like it was the next step.
How do you envision your legacy impacting the future of the Foundation and the children and youth we serve?
Jim: To us, this is a small thing we’re doing. And what I’m hoping is that someone else will look at us and want to do the same. We want to help light that fire in others to give back. We don’t have anything specific that we want. We trust the Foundation to use the funds where there is the greatest need.
But our hope is that this idea will be seen as an easy thing to do.
What advice would you offer to others considering leaving a gift in their Will or naming Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada as a beneficiary of a retirement plan/life insurance policy?
Jim: If you have any gratitude to show, or if you have seen any value in what the Foundation does, do whatever you can to extend your financial support beyond your time. And that’s what a life insurance policy will do. It’s a way to leave a lasting legacy that will have an impact on generations of children to come.
Reflecting on your journey as a supporter and champion of the Foundation’s work, what do you hope others will take away from your commitment to leaving a lasting impact through philanthropy?
Jim: Get involved. We did something really small. But I know that we have had an influence on our children and grandchildren and have done something for children we will never know. The vital work of CAFC can only be done with donations and dedicated volunteers.
Is there anything you would tell your younger self about naming the Foundation in your estate plans?
Jim: My family’s Manitoba and rural Ontario roots taught me the value of friendship, of good neighbours, and of helping others. So, my advice to my teenage self would be to do what you can now to help others, known and unknown, and make it last. Keep doing it. Not for the applause but for the kids.
