Thirteen years later, the School Sisters of Notre Dame took over from Father Funck

en, bringing their mission of transforming the world through education, one child at a time.Eugene Funcken establish an
The sisters imagined a better future for the children they served. Facing many hardships, they often called upon their reserves of resilience and innovation. Nothing would deter them from living their founder’s motto: “trust and dare”. orphanage.

In 1966, a newly constructed Children’s Village became a non-denominational residential treatment centre for children with emotional disturbances. Funding was primarily through the Catholic community and charitable donations.

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. was designated a children’s mental health centre in 1987 with funding from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

In June 2000, Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. expanded the programs and services offered to children and families, took on a bold new look formally adopting an entrepreneurial business approach, and the operating name kidsLINK.

kidsLINK continues to innovate and reach out, inspired by a love for children and the enduring belief and legacy of the School Sisters of Notre Dame that children’s lives – and the world – can be transformed through love and education.

In June 2008, kidsLINK celebrated its 150th anniversary. See our historic brochure here.

Timeline

1858

Father Eugene Funcken founds the Orphanage in St. Agatha

1868

Community builds new Orphanage constructed on nine acres of land donated by Nicolaus Dietrich

1870

Father Funcken travels to Milwaukee to ask the School Sisters of Notre Dame to take charge of the Orphanage

1903

Newly enlarged Orphanage opens

1951

Orphanage renamed Notre Dame of St. Agatha

1965

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. incorporates under the Province of Ontario

1966

Newly constructed Children’s Village replaces 19th century surroundings. The Village consists of four cottages and an administration building

1971

School Sisters celebrate centennial of their arrival

1985

First layperson hired as executive director of Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc.

1987

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. licensed as a Children’s Mental Health Centre

1987

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. begins offering community-based care and early intervention with the start of Preschool Support Services

1988

Farewell tea for the last sisters on staff to leave Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc.

1992

Early Identification Early Intervention Program launches

1997

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. publishes first edition of Child & Family Journal (now Child & Family Professional)

1997

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. receives its first full accreditation by the Ontario Association of Children’s Mental Health Centres

2000

Notre Dame of St. Agatha Inc. announces a progressive and bold agenda for the future, launches a new look and operational name…”kidsLINK” at its new Discovery Centre for Parents

2000

The Caroline Respite Centre opens

2001

The Children’s Mental Health Access Centre opens as a joint initiative between kidsLINK and Lutherwood-CODA

2001

kidsLINK sells first intensive residential services to Children’s Aid Societies on a fee basis

2001

Children’s Mental Health Services expand to include two new joint initiatives with Lutherwood-CODA: the Partners Program and the Mobile Crisis Response

2003

Per Diem Residential Services expand significantly and generate surplus funds to support the mission

2007

kidsLINK launches Tools for Life, a product based on the Early Identification Early Intervention Program, for use in schools and homes

2007

Walk-in service begins at the Children’s Mental Health Access Centre

2007

2017 Vision sets strategic direction for the next decade